tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74508184534898029432024-02-18T21:04:11.568-08:00Evening Star KennelEvening Star Kennelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14560149330953536809noreply@blogger.comBlogger59125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7450818453489802943.post-67412101345167562142010-04-08T14:51:00.000-07:002010-04-08T14:51:21.945-07:00Tales from the Trail: Part 5<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqkjL49WwNePZ1NyPrhcdmrVC3VH4tadwgVj15jsgQmL8vr8HYjxaC9fB95VjcJerQ892ecuUDOagPW_2RFI2gErchDkYAF-aBXfZ6evH0hZWIdND2lXSD8XYFta0bj260wDq70a8kmv-U/s1600/DSCN0089.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqkjL49WwNePZ1NyPrhcdmrVC3VH4tadwgVj15jsgQmL8vr8HYjxaC9fB95VjcJerQ892ecuUDOagPW_2RFI2gErchDkYAF-aBXfZ6evH0hZWIdND2lXSD8XYFta0bj260wDq70a8kmv-U/s200/DSCN0089.JPG" width="200" wt="true" /></a></div><br />
Out of Dawson City, we had a short jaunt down the river and through the outskirts of town before we started heading up to the top of King Solomon Dome. I was a little nervous that the dogs might balk with such a heavily loaded sled and such a long climb, but they were happy and fresh after their long rest. They never looked back to question me and I never stopped running, pedaling, and poling. I quickly started taking off layers and opening the vent zippers on my bibs. So much for the showers in Dawson (yes, I took 2 just because I could). I got to see the sun come up over some of the most beautiful and little traveled mountains I have had the privilege of climbing. <div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiPXwMh6ryIKWc7HGtaYwjPj1y9jZdmZzB5w4gL_yLqj7x0DL5Tt7J-O0fCA3R-oS4UpyaTLapxK4TsBUT7IcsSSSHwttVM7vcKNizCW1SOtA3Y07MqAMckfHdQFa9Dg2hp2c4Q5c86QBi/s1600/DSCN0091.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiPXwMh6ryIKWc7HGtaYwjPj1y9jZdmZzB5w4gL_yLqj7x0DL5Tt7J-O0fCA3R-oS4UpyaTLapxK4TsBUT7IcsSSSHwttVM7vcKNizCW1SOtA3Y07MqAMckfHdQFa9Dg2hp2c4Q5c86QBi/s200/DSCN0091.JPG" width="200" wt="true" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">After 2.5 hours, I stopped to give the dogs a snack. I thought it looked like we were almost there and I wanted to give them a little pick-me-up before we made the last ascent. This was were Jennifer Rafaelli, who had left Dawson less than 10 minutes behind us, passed. After our snack stop, we began to climb again. And climb. And climb. And climb. Finally we crested the top and started the rolling descent. Charlotte was having a hard time stretching out on the descent and so I loaded her into the sled. Whenever we reached another longer ascent I would put her back in the team.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuqe3faz2wOopxiBktTXFA4Nq-O80yefd60-j4kQ2q22xRe7qfw_s-aO_Hb2WNNlzpecFbt9N_FujHbFp0OLnt9eX0vq8xlSiAKvpS4JkVFLy-cHgvhu1wgglVvz4thYpgRCBRvn6Ien7-/s1600/DSCN0095.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuqe3faz2wOopxiBktTXFA4Nq-O80yefd60-j4kQ2q22xRe7qfw_s-aO_Hb2WNNlzpecFbt9N_FujHbFp0OLnt9eX0vq8xlSiAKvpS4JkVFLy-cHgvhu1wgglVvz4thYpgRCBRvn6Ien7-/s200/DSCN0095.JPG" width="200" wt="true" /></a></div>We continued like this for a while until we dropped into an old mining district where there were old tailing piles and big trucks along the trail. I was looking for a good place to camp when I caught up to Bart and Peter camping alongside the trail with their (may I say, pathetic) attempt at a fire. I stopped just passed them and got the dogs all set for a 6 hour rest.<br />
<br />
After getting my team taken care of, I visited with the boys and helped them get the fire going a little better. They were planning to take off 3 hours ahead of me. We discussed how to get on track with our timing so we could hopefully travel together again. When it was approaching their time to leave, about 2:30 pm, Bart declared it too warm. It was warm and sunny where we were camped, which is good for resting; not so good for running. They stayed for an extra hour and a half and departed just over an hour ahead of me.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqSrT6B6k1RhEHTVgZYNeiZDOH7sHpp6HnQYE6khjtEqMF_bGVgPEpUR6Lc0Wy-TL_wNdRiTr3OdrB2idJClX1tizEy_wKPfdOuQ5N2j6zMTtWh8NbujfBSt0PYQSeexZ231Z0tCIgPbK9/s1600/P2160440.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqSrT6B6k1RhEHTVgZYNeiZDOH7sHpp6HnQYE6khjtEqMF_bGVgPEpUR6Lc0Wy-TL_wNdRiTr3OdrB2idJClX1tizEy_wKPfdOuQ5N2j6zMTtWh8NbujfBSt0PYQSeexZ231Z0tCIgPbK9/s200/P2160440.JPG" width="200" wt="true" /></a></div>On the way to the Scroggie Creek Dog Drop, we went through the black hills. I had heard these were just lots of rolling hills that could be frustrating as it was difficult for the dogs to get into a rhythm with the constantly changing terrain. However, I must have confused that trail description for something else. This was another long climb and steeper than the one during the day over King Solomon Dome. The dogs did great and we had a fun ride down the other side. <br />
<br />
We leap-frogged with Jennifer Rafaeli several times on this run, and I passed her a several miles outside of Scroggie Creek while on a river. The Northern Lights were the most incredible I had ever seen. There were all shades of green, highlighted with red. The was a hugh rope of green from horizon to horizon, arching over us. It seemed so close. If I were just a little taller, I could have touched it. It was quite difficult for me to pay attention to the trail as all I wanted to do was turn off my light and look up. Absolutely beautiful<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU8mZAyuyGM0dJzRx_By2eNt3ON8tuodHk1LoTPEGMDhkZlJ4-q8mbeaVHY9L3ST9S8iJ9aoDUbKxdA8dwIMp9e98ywVgmluV8gqT9skTEJEPYDlMPnVw8avmXfAH0jlqeLdwe1Q8SsZrX/s1600/P2160435.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU8mZAyuyGM0dJzRx_By2eNt3ON8tuodHk1LoTPEGMDhkZlJ4-q8mbeaVHY9L3ST9S8iJ9aoDUbKxdA8dwIMp9e98ywVgmluV8gqT9skTEJEPYDlMPnVw8avmXfAH0jlqeLdwe1Q8SsZrX/s200/P2160435.JPG" width="200" wt="true" /></a></div>When we left our camp with Bart and Peter, I had decided that I would drop Charlotte in Scroggie. I knew that the next section would be hilly and didn't want the rest of the team to have to carry her. I didn't think her injury too severe, so I put her back in the team. By the time we got to Scroggie, Charlotte was 100% again and somehow healed on the run. She never had another problem and finished with flying colors. These dogs are amazing.<br />
<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-ywuz0SGqWCsHU1CmJBWhSlr-yA768RPzvTUP6uADr3i8RFT4k-baO0RnpDvagu3YDpQNdBKE2NREg_bHWSVNsjJIzFArPoH2Ok0KxIKu3Ouw0g_EGoV1HMEQxTnsIn1qzyPCI4z4iH_H/s1600/P2160442.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-ywuz0SGqWCsHU1CmJBWhSlr-yA768RPzvTUP6uADr3i8RFT4k-baO0RnpDvagu3YDpQNdBKE2NREg_bHWSVNsjJIzFArPoH2Ok0KxIKu3Ouw0g_EGoV1HMEQxTnsIn1qzyPCI4z4iH_H/s200/P2160442.JPG" width="200" wt="true" /></a>Scroggie was a great stop with a recently built cabin. When I arrived, Bart and Peter were just finishing getting their dogs down for a rest. I had had a really good run and felt like my dog team was back and had made up another 20 minutes on the boys. I thought maybe if they would take another longish rest, I could catch up.</div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_BM4BnQbSGbnbuQc1_IYqNyORR2rPaHQD7WwmgQjGB8JbXI7rCn7o6ZbT-63Dd7IWTeg4kY1SHXs8V4rcyWUpfp7VxLLaqMKCJKPuL19CSNEVcg3oC_HiIAssWmtuKR_uACure584PwpJ/s1600/P2160446.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_BM4BnQbSGbnbuQc1_IYqNyORR2rPaHQD7WwmgQjGB8JbXI7rCn7o6ZbT-63Dd7IWTeg4kY1SHXs8V4rcyWUpfp7VxLLaqMKCJKPuL19CSNEVcg3oC_HiIAssWmtuKR_uACure584PwpJ/s200/P2160446.JPG" width="200" wt="true" /></a>I headed out of Scroggie in the morning and ran until it was too warm to push on. I camped alone on the side of the trail. One good thing about camping alone is that it is easier to get some rest. After bedding down the dogs, I got in my sleeping bag with Shilo for a 2 hour nap. We headed out in the dark to run to Pelly Crossing. This was another smooth run except for losing a bolt on my handle bar.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBnEYoLqnRimkyoCqC6Sf9emvcCrl9vgjFe3Pn920gzLyaRXwQGvns47IXl216EaaHDJDMx9r40fVVkHezQYUeeRnoJyvn9h3qPtNXiHVC0N2O-nz2Y69zdSmHcr8wIrJBpTOs8v-hNKZq/s1600/P2160450.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBnEYoLqnRimkyoCqC6Sf9emvcCrl9vgjFe3Pn920gzLyaRXwQGvns47IXl216EaaHDJDMx9r40fVVkHezQYUeeRnoJyvn9h3qPtNXiHVC0N2O-nz2Y69zdSmHcr8wIrJBpTOs8v-hNKZq/s200/P2160450.JPG" width="200" wt="true" /></a>After arriving in the wee hours, I bedded down the dogs and fixed my handlebar. I went inside to hear that Hans Gatt had won the race and shattered all kinds of records. I ate my dinner and went to sleep on the hard concrete floor. My cold was getting a little better, but this was where the terrible cough started. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">In there morning, I watched Peter and Bart head out of the checkpoint as I packed my sled and prepared for the next leg. I saw several stray dogs come into the dog area and steal from drop bags and sleds. Amazing how bold they were! We headed out late morning. Only 250 miles to go.</div>Evening Star Kennelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14560149330953536809noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7450818453489802943.post-32780949931647696602010-04-01T15:35:00.000-07:002010-04-01T15:35:44.546-07:00Tales from the Trail: Part 4<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx23lbZiLPKcoRriqdM9fce9jLgFX9C5JvFF-HuZj7NNUOEr4D4_pJ-orZSuM0tmqvS1jzu-OINJSzkUEfgYCNQybsZv7eaH71NeW5eWDRtAe-iS4FKDlnbITFeWx6D7ZZWNizki_JIvMc/s1600/DSCN0073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx23lbZiLPKcoRriqdM9fce9jLgFX9C5JvFF-HuZj7NNUOEr4D4_pJ-orZSuM0tmqvS1jzu-OINJSzkUEfgYCNQybsZv7eaH71NeW5eWDRtAe-iS4FKDlnbITFeWx6D7ZZWNizki_JIvMc/s320/DSCN0073.JPG" /></a></div>In Eagle, I decided to give the dogs a long break of 12 hours. After running 170 miles into the wind, some of the younger dogs were seriously questioning what we were doing. We headed out of Eagle at 4 in the morning with Peter Fleck and his team close behind. Finally off the river, we headed up the plowed road which quickly turned into snowmobile trail and started climbing American Summit. There were are few sidehill glaciers along the way. My dogs still were not very confident about the ice and looked for the best traction which happened to be on the downhill side of the glacier which just dropped off the side of the mountain. With a sled packed for 150 miles and weighing more than me, I fought to keep the sled from dropping off the edge. We made it almost all the way across when my runners lost their edge and the sled went down on its side, fortunately uphill. Unfortunately, though, with just snow dusted ice below it, I struggled to get it upright. I would have eventually wiggled it to better gripping snow to get it upright, but Peter was kind enough to help me and we were on our way again.<br />
<br />
It was a long climb up and up. And even though we were finally off the river, we still had a headwind. The trail was well packed but the shoulders were very soft. I had to be careful not to doze off or lose focus or one runner would drop of the hard pack and I would be sucked into the snowbank requiring a lot of choice words and elbow grease to get back on the trail. Peter followed us most of the way up the mountain giving his leaders a little mental break. Once he passed us and we took a snack break, I caught glimpses of them on some of the long descending switchbacks.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ6zTIuSImICcDcyODgmP_HA9f9JxZRPBG1BfpyaxxdHxLIhK5CxcnDast0H_3PC3aMrjsQCb5CoqTuFT9yvgbME3IKagF-C_Qiy3WRemgHYnYRZ1swOZjznT85C8z32zYtRL9XWb7DpUJ/s1600/DSCN0084.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ6zTIuSImICcDcyODgmP_HA9f9JxZRPBG1BfpyaxxdHxLIhK5CxcnDast0H_3PC3aMrjsQCb5CoqTuFT9yvgbME3IKagF-C_Qiy3WRemgHYnYRZ1swOZjznT85C8z32zYtRL9XWb7DpUJ/s200/DSCN0084.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>Fifty miles from Eagle where we were to get on the Forty Mile River for 50 more miles, Wayne Hall is kind enough to set up a wall tent for Quest mushers to use. The tent has a small wood stove to warm it. I nearly missed it but arrived to find Bart and his team there but no Peter.<br />
<br />
After bedding down and feeding the dogs, I joined Bart in the tent to warm up, rest, and feed myself. Bart had arrived 2 hours before me and thus left 2 hours before me. Peter missed the turn and ended up camping alone on the river. I headed out at dark for the 50 miles on the Forty Mile River to the old 40 mile town site and cabin. The run was uneventful except that we crossed into Canada.<br />
<br />
We arrived at the old 40 Mile cabin in the wee hours of the morning where I fed and bedded down the dogs are got some sleep myself. I woke up feeling under the weather but decided to ignore this fact as I pushed on to Dawson. This 50ish mile run was back on the Yukon River and seemed to take forever. I was ready to be in Dawson City, where I could shower and sleep in a bed, and the dogs were ready for a long rest.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUQsFjzNeRcFhDLwWPk0AN8WtftFiMmpOjAD6NZmfaqfAOdX4zOvdfcqv7jX6uIQn16vY0kHRYL91Vn5OVCDnqXPKPihJNKK_DqYYSUv0L6_XFtO0aUm9o0RqyhyphenhyphenMJ9iWbSC0SQnXtLo2x/s1600/P2120385.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUQsFjzNeRcFhDLwWPk0AN8WtftFiMmpOjAD6NZmfaqfAOdX4zOvdfcqv7jX6uIQn16vY0kHRYL91Vn5OVCDnqXPKPihJNKK_DqYYSUv0L6_XFtO0aUm9o0RqyhyphenhyphenMJ9iWbSC0SQnXtLo2x/s200/P2120385.JPG" width="200" /></a>Just as we were nearing the end of the run (or so I thought), we ran into some knee deep overflow coming off the river. How do I know it was knee deep? Because, again, like the first night out of Two Rivers, I got to spend some time standing in it trying to get the dogs to go through it. At least it was light out this time and I realized what was happening before they got too tangled. We made it through after some work on all our parts and I decided that since we were off the main body of the river we must be almost there and I would wait to wring out my boot liners until I got there. This ended up being a bad call as it was another 30 minutes or so before we got to Dawson. After 15 minutes, I stopped to squeeze out the liners and they wouldn't come out of the boots. They had already frozen in place.<br />
<br />
After standing in water inside my 10 pound (apiece) boots, I was most definitely not in my cheeriest mood of the race when we arrived in Dawson. I got checked in, asked Anita if they had some dry boots in camp, and headed across the Yukon to our campsite. What a relief to get out of my boots and get the dogs bedded down for a long rest.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPyX1i5jdA1JN0jZ_YnLOOL7pnxOFcgKOat4aa3faZO_p5vEND1ZyVYQXqDkLLWt3TCih5oP_VbESzivWkibLkUjVZPkA7goYPXLr9gPqK1o_XJsTJ2TzgVxDezpKYtweRXmsPuPTR2Bvm/s1600/P2130413.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPyX1i5jdA1JN0jZ_YnLOOL7pnxOFcgKOat4aa3faZO_p5vEND1ZyVYQXqDkLLWt3TCih5oP_VbESzivWkibLkUjVZPkA7goYPXLr9gPqK1o_XJsTJ2TzgVxDezpKYtweRXmsPuPTR2Bvm/s200/P2130413.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>We had a vet check as soon as we arrived and I dropped Boggle from the team so he could go right to the truck. I was certain that I did not want him to continue as his attitude was taking away from the team overall. The dogs ate and ate and curled up to sleep in the straw inside the tent that Brooke and Anita built for them. Then I got to go to the hotel with Brooke and Anita where I got to shower and put on clean clothes. Brooke also informed me that my dirty clothes were too stinky and had to go out to the truck for the night. I just had to laugh.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit9Uv-FP2ZJYKgi2yIqHmWnzaOqw64FJSvi1KDmkNVjeyorwnnYix367BOigoEyrX4iRXB6QLiiYvwmVlpQh3abN1kXY9AxrG9ZrpaKgqTWNyYpVavVPNcoiJC_C4ZP7XyU1UYroX81ax1/s1600/P2130407.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit9Uv-FP2ZJYKgi2yIqHmWnzaOqw64FJSvi1KDmkNVjeyorwnnYix367BOigoEyrX4iRXB6QLiiYvwmVlpQh3abN1kXY9AxrG9ZrpaKgqTWNyYpVavVPNcoiJC_C4ZP7XyU1UYroX81ax1/s200/P2130407.JPG" width="200" /></a>Having been so bundled up for the last 6 days, it was a wonderful relief to get out of the layers and a bit shocking to look in the mirror and see new bulges here and there from all the heaving I was having to do with a heavily loaded sled. We managed to find a late dinner and then I got to sleep for 8 hours straight. Brooke and Anita were kind enough to head back to the dog lot at 3am to feed and walk the dogs and make sure everyone was still tucked in for the night. I woke up the next morning with a cold and in the most physical pain of the race. Apparently, 8 hours was too long for me to stay in bed. I was so sore and stiff.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibV_-7zIjoxDst6GvjHcFySNhakgbKhzuzRUCx05XoMZWLXo-iSSX46AGHMBwBt5YDSIa518W-e0lUnsNeL92emGZMGj_9MZqtEbrx14eFWgpfTbx8c15KWBjdmUlP6eGfejMmMtmXNOhI/s1600/P2130390.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibV_-7zIjoxDst6GvjHcFySNhakgbKhzuzRUCx05XoMZWLXo-iSSX46AGHMBwBt5YDSIa518W-e0lUnsNeL92emGZMGj_9MZqtEbrx14eFWgpfTbx8c15KWBjdmUlP6eGfejMmMtmXNOhI/s200/P2130390.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>We spent the day taking care of the dogs, doing laundry, making sled repairs and alterations, and prepping for my 6 am departure on Sunday, February 14, Valentine's Day, as someone more attuned to such things pointed out to me. After a busy day of chores, I finally got to bed at midnight where I went through all my mental lists over and over until the alarm went off at 3 am. I think I slept less than an hour. So much for getting rested on my 36 hour layover. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbe-j4UZUgAzmd1ymiFBMQKEtq3nAOXRno9T60xwmgCfqP10ySyAmahmPpY-S_b2a2ONmYMTYbsLdEyA6_3IOX8j6fpdpnTaksSB7uKPMJYAbc4zQM4SK2YPLZns0ran7ZAU1-CYsFubcf/s1600/P2130418.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbe-j4UZUgAzmd1ymiFBMQKEtq3nAOXRno9T60xwmgCfqP10ySyAmahmPpY-S_b2a2ONmYMTYbsLdEyA6_3IOX8j6fpdpnTaksSB7uKPMJYAbc4zQM4SK2YPLZns0ran7ZAU1-CYsFubcf/s200/P2130418.JPG" width="200" /></a>The three of us headed to the dog lot to feed, harness, and bootie the dogs, pack the sled, and make all the last minute preparations. I had to pack for 200 miles or 4 runs and 3 camps. I was carrying close to 150 pounds of dog food for this stretch. Plus a bale of straw. It was a heavy load. I also decided to drop Miss Cleo at this point as she was still having a hard time recovering from the big that she had gotten on the way to Dawson. Brooke told me she just needed 12 hours more than I had and was eating, drinking, and bouncing around shortly after we left.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8oE9nw8M_IJ6lPrqX70eDBsuoPa4MAdmQotrnpEQNedsCf_6DYZ61bM4Lafk212zkAHsoFM6OsqWpVHKtP3fSWra9H42Ax_4T4RAFXJGuiYcQMGCvq99LKEr7POSg8LhdN_Z9NUnw6oip/s1600/P2100316.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8oE9nw8M_IJ6lPrqX70eDBsuoPa4MAdmQotrnpEQNedsCf_6DYZ61bM4Lafk212zkAHsoFM6OsqWpVHKtP3fSWra9H42Ax_4T4RAFXJGuiYcQMGCvq99LKEr7POSg8LhdN_Z9NUnw6oip/s320/P2100316.JPG" /></a></div>We hooked up and headed out of the campground. I signed out and we headed back onto the river and out into the most remote portion of the trail. And up to the highest point on the trail, King Solomon Dome.Evening Star Kennelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14560149330953536809noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7450818453489802943.post-62996658434235514872010-03-03T12:43:00.000-08:002010-03-03T12:43:38.253-08:00Tales from the Trail: Part 3<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdSLX5Ig6vGUeg4xrIUSYiUBEGt6zg4BV4zPG5X-Vd7nyjy3jUBE4OP7-0xx2-YTUGl7IctyLgLjri7OHwYTPW3QZijIPgW-W4wumb70LYu3X3Yr93aqh3TIBSAyPUaLgQF-7_twrovTJ1/s1600-h/P2080237.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdSLX5Ig6vGUeg4xrIUSYiUBEGt6zg4BV4zPG5X-Vd7nyjy3jUBE4OP7-0xx2-YTUGl7IctyLgLjri7OHwYTPW3QZijIPgW-W4wumb70LYu3X3Yr93aqh3TIBSAyPUaLgQF-7_twrovTJ1/s320/P2080237.JPG" /></a></div>Upon leaving Circle, with over 100 pounds of dog food in the sled, we quickly headed out onto the Yukon River for about 160 miles to Eagle, AK. The reports were that the jumble ice was the worst for the first 15 miles. I think whoever wrote the report must have been highly optimistic.<br />
<br />
I had never seen jumble ice before and didn't quite understand what I might be in for. Jumble ice is the rough sections of the frozen river caused by an early freeze breaking up and refreezing. The broken up ice "jumbles" up and when refrozen forms a very rough surface. From talking with regulars of the trail, we had a relatively mild jumble ice year. But it was still rough going. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMiIZx1Exnp-4UpyqmM6LJT5-XuOtj80TTZYSOQ5vjCzv_I5CNDAIrj97GdR0ooaIXWQ5j1_hDPv5bvSkSmDFW3tBhnsHzAoQkshhfPjc1fH7r5UmT-5uVFRpjTGWEvDSJIIDCJv4bRHpd/s1600-h/DSCN0075.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMiIZx1Exnp-4UpyqmM6LJT5-XuOtj80TTZYSOQ5vjCzv_I5CNDAIrj97GdR0ooaIXWQ5j1_hDPv5bvSkSmDFW3tBhnsHzAoQkshhfPjc1fH7r5UmT-5uVFRpjTGWEvDSJIIDCJv4bRHpd/s200/DSCN0075.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>Mostly we would follow one river back that was relatively clear and then cross the jumble ice to the other side of the river when necessary to find smoother trails. Occasionally, we would portage across a bend in the river to avoid the river entirely. One of these portages followed some beaver sloughs and was very tight and windy. I was very glad the dog team had toned down a bit for this as it took constant effort on my part to keep the sled out of the scrub along side the trail and ducking to avoid low hanging branches. <br />
<br />
After 5 or 6 hours of running, our mild headwind, a usual expectation as you head up the Yukon, turned into a stiff headwind and we lost the trail as the wind exposed the glare ice. I had to tip the sled over and become lead dog for a while trying to find trail markers. One advantage to running on a river is that you have to be really out of it to really get lost. Even if you aren't on the established trail, you can keep following the river in the right direction and eventually you will find the trail again.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH_kqkfIS-tShAu49GB-2UOLYZt3oq6vm2B2U9sYqN-AvLtviKJ-dh3mVaszEd3HNg7cvkPA8_dSDkCyTbvvG-4QUlnCmEro3bCoRNILlamHMNlCbI4RuRqBr8OWAaRStTTdq52XR4VO9J/s1600-h/P2090246.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH_kqkfIS-tShAu49GB-2UOLYZt3oq6vm2B2U9sYqN-AvLtviKJ-dh3mVaszEd3HNg7cvkPA8_dSDkCyTbvvG-4QUlnCmEro3bCoRNILlamHMNlCbI4RuRqBr8OWAaRStTTdq52XR4VO9J/s200/P2090246.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>We got back on track and headed on into Slaven's Roadhouse. This is not an official checkpoint and therefore no resupply, but it is a place you can drop dogs that do not need to continue. When I arrived at Slaven's, they informed me that it was -22 degrees. I didn't think it felt that cold, but the wind can change everything. I bedded down the dogs and went inside for some food and a nap. Shortly after I arrived, Bart De Marie and Peter Fleck pulled in as well. These guys became my travelling companions for a good portion of the remainder of the race.<br />
<br />
I ended up staying at Slaven's a little longer than intended so as to wait for the guys to get their full rest. We all travelled that night in fairly close proximity with Peter just ahead and Bart and me playing leap frog. The Northern Lights were spectacular. I turned my headlamp off to get a better look and ran into the back of Bart's sled. Apparently this story got told to one reporter and then made the papers all over.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk2N95LiM8cHpoq3edsR1IRSN39oO-fc_nze1sPk5BW53pHylXabZ5PjVwI9GMDdWeOPM9zp2GD1rAPubZTfKyzLIiK_X5C3iUd9aLBpyV7Tog9LITOdWPRPOBd01qht7VT6XDORgqpPOg/s1600-h/DSCN0074.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk2N95LiM8cHpoq3edsR1IRSN39oO-fc_nze1sPk5BW53pHylXabZ5PjVwI9GMDdWeOPM9zp2GD1rAPubZTfKyzLIiK_X5C3iUd9aLBpyV7Tog9LITOdWPRPOBd01qht7VT6XDORgqpPOg/s200/DSCN0074.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>We ran a long 8+ hour run that night to Mike Sager's cabin at Trout Creek, enduring a constant headwind and blown in trails. We arrived at the cabin around 4 am where we rested and slept for a few hours. All three of us sprawled out on the floor in the loft and I don't think anyone moved until the alarm went off. That was a tough morning to get going.<br />
<br />
One of the things about running a race like this that most people don't realize until they have been there is how comfortable we get with people we hardly know. I, like most of my fellow mushers, would regularly strip down to my long underwear in checkpoints while eating, sleeping, and drying things out. But the outhouse at Trout Creek takes the cake for smothering any facade of modesty. The said outhouse was actually not a house at all. It had 3 half walls barely hiding the hole and an open front facing exactly where Bart was repacking his sled. I realized this as I was walking over, toilet paper in hand. What could we do but laugh? Bart was kind enough to "give me a minute" and hightailed it over to talk with Peter. I wish I had taken the time to take a picture.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHrckXacK3XyktBuKfj6yk-cZoLEhKIuZWW-gVzEHIjeqv88CYRjnzPhKO2bGVna4iUjiXhJ7DvkPiMJXGLH3dNLQGrus5WQOI8WQ50P1S_1-PVNb9SmbJCw-QhjlJlIvwme1UHviN2Mp4/s1600-h/DSCN0080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHrckXacK3XyktBuKfj6yk-cZoLEhKIuZWW-gVzEHIjeqv88CYRjnzPhKO2bGVna4iUjiXhJ7DvkPiMJXGLH3dNLQGrus5WQOI8WQ50P1S_1-PVNb9SmbJCw-QhjlJlIvwme1UHviN2Mp4/s200/DSCN0080.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>The run from Trout Creek to Eagle was more river and jumble ice. Although I knew we had a 36 hour rest coming up in Dawson City, another 150 miles, I decided to take a longer break of 12 hours for my pups to reset at the checkpoint before heading out on another 150 miles with a heavy sled. The advantage of running a young team who needs more rest is that I get a bit more rest, though I still averaged less than 4 hours a day on my 12.5 day trip.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Eagle is the only remote checkpoint where we had drop bags for our resupply. It is not road accessible in the winter and so I did not see Brooke and Anita at this checkpoint. They had great food for us and beds to sleep in. </div>Evening Star Kennelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14560149330953536809noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7450818453489802943.post-18512994924728947252010-02-26T21:18:00.000-08:002010-02-26T21:20:01.083-08:00Tales from the Trail: Part 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdKzD15Q-6PuU987ceQfFndvpEri-MDz9Zh1iC3gBIZng22bkwwJAQRaSjBXcb1FPwzWua091RWtL-A25UhSnkpFdldGz07KirVOZXtxMcuMizeuOwHlttCRzs_QVKFSP9LU7Kr3ZgXNWs/s1600-h/P2070191.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdKzD15Q-6PuU987ceQfFndvpEri-MDz9Zh1iC3gBIZng22bkwwJAQRaSjBXcb1FPwzWua091RWtL-A25UhSnkpFdldGz07KirVOZXtxMcuMizeuOwHlttCRzs_QVKFSP9LU7Kr3ZgXNWs/s200/P2070191.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>Upon leaving the Twin Bears Campground, we immediately got off the trail, as did almost everyone else, I heard later. After a few tense moments of barely controlled backtracking, we got on the right trail and continued on. I had planned to go for 4.5-5 hours and camping. But that was not the case. <br />
<br />
We had about 20 uneventful miles where I felt the team was moving along great. That's when we hit the Olympic size swimming pool of overflow. Not only was it an expansive pool, it was also mid-thigh deep on me. I know this because I spent more than 10 minutes standing in it trying to untangle the most massive tangle I have ever had. As soon as I got one dog free from the mess and let go to go after another, the first dog jumped back into the cluster and wound round and round again. <br />
<br />
This seemed to go on forever. I had 2 teams waiting behind me wondering what could be taking me this long. Finally, Abbie West came up behind me, irritated that all our dogs were just standing in water but quickly realized that I was too. She helped drive my sled across the pond while I dragged the 14 dog ball through. She and Sam went though and on down the trail while I spent a very long time untangling my dogs. Everyone was fine and no worse for the wear. My boots weighed 10 pounds apiece before I pulled out the liners to wring them out and pour the water out of the shells. After sorting out the dogs and myself, we headed down the trail..<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigl3yA-q1npx5cjLbg5JOmHYykCQpVbKTqsW71eG-mY5_rycYlYL0JdR3Qwq-hu6nCwbyiOK_KmCDJpsmQveZS2FTkZRoYqsOsbfeVcIBYqk8o7V1MusFFjqdKrbkoc52Pr0MHTOyBpOqm/s1600-h/P2070195.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigl3yA-q1npx5cjLbg5JOmHYykCQpVbKTqsW71eG-mY5_rycYlYL0JdR3Qwq-hu6nCwbyiOK_KmCDJpsmQveZS2FTkZRoYqsOsbfeVcIBYqk8o7V1MusFFjqdKrbkoc52Pr0MHTOyBpOqm/s200/P2070195.JPG" width="200" /></a>I wanted to go for a couple more hours but started getting really nervous about my feet. I stopped twice more to wring out the liners as gravity pooled more water around my toes. After an hour, I finally stopped, bedded down the dogs, and built a fire. I was so thrown off by the overflow that I couldn't seem to get anything done. I finally got the dogs fed and fire wood stockpiled so that I could sit down and try to dry out my feet and boots (and mitts and bibs and gloves and...).</div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8WS8_laTS9OWxlEFRmJdDd-_UNf1yib67e_JdVWEstA21Z9IOzrRHaXaDz8CIRuMhiTirLOn1vpK7BUcJz2iu0jOau6jF4vrXDpBiCyEir29VPfgjeLzbzqASCKvwvXjwHXbUfGLIGdgl/s1600-h/P2060166.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8WS8_laTS9OWxlEFRmJdDd-_UNf1yib67e_JdVWEstA21Z9IOzrRHaXaDz8CIRuMhiTirLOn1vpK7BUcJz2iu0jOau6jF4vrXDpBiCyEir29VPfgjeLzbzqASCKvwvXjwHXbUfGLIGdgl/s200/P2060166.JPG" width="200" /></a>I managed to get my boots thawed enough to open the cinch straps to make it possible to put my new liners in for the next run. I also manged to melt the rubber heel of one boot, singe a hole in my new sleeping bag, and pock mark my tarp. And I was still less that 100 miles along this 1000 mile adventure.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9QEuPj7zL8HE3CHJmdjpjULo0v4ZlSGWjZ9j7kwl5fK15tqV0SJQQicyEwQu4kAFHb2vMk0l-w6W5R50cWeue151YtwqFDfdLcsSdXOZ-xebH1C6GkW_JUOiT9O2usmMDd82T6Zre2dzW/s1600-h/P2060162.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9QEuPj7zL8HE3CHJmdjpjULo0v4ZlSGWjZ9j7kwl5fK15tqV0SJQQicyEwQu4kAFHb2vMk0l-w6W5R50cWeue151YtwqFDfdLcsSdXOZ-xebH1C6GkW_JUOiT9O2usmMDd82T6Zre2dzW/s200/P2060162.JPG" width="200" /></a>The next morning (3:30am) I was up and prepping everything to continue our run to the Mile 101 checkpoint. During the night, the fire had gone out and my boots had frozen solid, fortunately, relatively open. The downside of this was that the cinch straps were fully extended and frozen so that I could not cinch them down to stay on my feet. We headed out on one of the craziest runs with more tangles than I have ever had in one day, possibly ever, as we encountered lots of sidehill glaciers and frozen creeks and 6 foot bouldery drops. Everytime we had to cross ice, I had to lead the leaders across. Thank you, Magali, for the ice cleats. At one point the dogs went the wrong way and dragged the sled on its side over a 6 foot drop onto a creek. We weren't the first and likely not the last to take this route, but it sure was an interesting experience trying to wiggle the sled through the dense willows to get it back on the trail.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-4_dxGqH88FF5D-rFXFomM3JhHDVYFoFpXJ02LhMceZfz6D24r1j9B6YeHsIOPuRK5AIEurLn3JCjrT4IjDGkTIiIeVAYgk2hj4xMmMY4F2R3aTIz2m_Gubm3FEO9YEuARo2ugtNJU3Op/s1600-h/P2070176.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-4_dxGqH88FF5D-rFXFomM3JhHDVYFoFpXJ02LhMceZfz6D24r1j9B6YeHsIOPuRK5AIEurLn3JCjrT4IjDGkTIiIeVAYgk2hj4xMmMY4F2R3aTIz2m_Gubm3FEO9YEuARo2ugtNJU3Op/s200/P2070176.JPG" width="200" /></a>There are 2 summits early on the east bound Quest trail, Rosebud and Eagle. Eagle is the more infamous from a rookie standpoint and is the second of the 2, just after the Mile 101 checkpoint. The climb up the scantily snow covered Rosedbud was not too bad except for the windblown sections where the dogs lost the trail and wanted to turn around and hurtle back to the bottom. The most exciting part was going down with little snow for braking and flipping and getting dragged and losing one of my frozen boots. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I had to hook down, flip the sled, undo tuglines, and do one of the most taboo thing while running dogs: I walked away from my sled and behind my dog team and crossed my fingers that they would stay just long enough for me to run back up the trail and get my boot. Luck was on my side and they did stay put. We continued down the mountain with far less catastrophe than earlier.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxv6uc6wHZCRr3oTKruIk6p5pLLD2g7izQx5pmSjcC5pLOqzmziNp0fNZjmg0LP9C_IYHhJ3saqRZ70CKOPPKjQCJKBMt4QTBcGLIJvftG4t6RTlRAfmBU5TlaWEbIXwkSKkkyX3H8RaF0/s1600-h/P2070199.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxv6uc6wHZCRr3oTKruIk6p5pLLD2g7izQx5pmSjcC5pLOqzmziNp0fNZjmg0LP9C_IYHhJ3saqRZ70CKOPPKjQCJKBMt4QTBcGLIJvftG4t6RTlRAfmBU5TlaWEbIXwkSKkkyX3H8RaF0/s200/P2070199.JPG" width="200" /></a>As we pulled into the Mile 101 checkpoint behind 2 other teams, my dogs were still screaming to go. We had a 2 hour mandatory layover for a vet check and I took 4 hours before heading out to climb the infamous Eagle Summit.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNvKLUq6670AL370rGODG8SGGHU9soNDebIlHWhnSLHqhoMWU1iGN7ey2GVwAhm2HmEXgqJ0z3ykZ1HAAGLMXZpolQsgxXa2YrPNeCu0YOcMn9Q_J8janWh-Q2rZiOxInME2umD2uBnmJH/s1600-h/P2080239.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; cssfloat: right; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNvKLUq6670AL370rGODG8SGGHU9soNDebIlHWhnSLHqhoMWU1iGN7ey2GVwAhm2HmEXgqJ0z3ykZ1HAAGLMXZpolQsgxXa2YrPNeCu0YOcMn9Q_J8janWh-Q2rZiOxInME2umD2uBnmJH/s200/P2080239.JPG" width="200" /></a>Despite my worries about Eagle Summit, it was relatively easy compared to the Rosebud. I left Mile 101 with Bart de Marie but he had troubles with his runners and had to stop on the trail to fix them so we were quickly separated. The descent was quite the adrenaline rush, but I managed to keep the sled upright and my boots on my feet. Going into the checkpoint at Central we went through a recent burn area where there were many obstacles to avoid including large root balls in the middle of the trail, pulled up by the brakes of earlier teams, fallen trees sticking out in the trail. I was quite glad to get to Central for a nice long break for the dogs and for me.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I got my first real rest of the trip in Central and was ready to head out on the rather boring (I am not complaining) 75 mile trip along Birch Creek to Circle City, the northern-most point on the Yukon Quest trail. After another long rest in the firehouse, we headed out into the night, with 120 pounds of dog food in the sled and 170 miles to travel on the Yukon River to Eagle, AK.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh00XFuiH5ZAmAI_2phmp0uHRxVLniBKfYs-DkiyopLGh3jercyE_4coQDz1NwgpX_sZc2X9bvMPppKUL-OtqUduIVZfEnlD6EmcDLkGUekd0ZSLjRbochbqZ32eAF_faE9bE4c9Rma3dXJ/s1600-h/P2080227.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: left; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh00XFuiH5ZAmAI_2phmp0uHRxVLniBKfYs-DkiyopLGh3jercyE_4coQDz1NwgpX_sZc2X9bvMPppKUL-OtqUduIVZfEnlD6EmcDLkGUekd0ZSLjRbochbqZ32eAF_faE9bE4c9Rma3dXJ/s200/P2080227.JPG" width="200" /></a>Though the trail is amazing and the dogs the reason to be there, one of the most amazing things about an event like the Yukon Quest is the people, getting to see old friends and make new ones. Some people you can be almost certain to cross paths with again, like Bart and Peter who I traveled with most of the way. Others you meet in a passing moment and can only hope that you will cross paths again, like Santiago, the Spanish volunteer in Circle.</div>Evening Star Kennelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14560149330953536809noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7450818453489802943.post-9968178519566924852010-02-25T12:32:00.000-08:002010-02-25T12:33:50.366-08:00Stories from the Trail: Part 1<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYj2HwvMgFO8XUY_LCuXYvN_KVvZPUT0Xsjd_F_TS-bAAnX6P3z1ld_fqYDNk0maH9SzISW0Bf6mxs6R_mMWyyXJnv01igb1HtLvvq-jen7pSG87q9-3kVe0Sx58XdpuoDTKnHHirA6CjC/s1600-h/P2060093.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYj2HwvMgFO8XUY_LCuXYvN_KVvZPUT0Xsjd_F_TS-bAAnX6P3z1ld_fqYDNk0maH9SzISW0Bf6mxs6R_mMWyyXJnv01igb1HtLvvq-jen7pSG87q9-3kVe0Sx58XdpuoDTKnHHirA6CjC/s200/P2060093.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">We started our 1000 mile journey in Fairbanks, AK on the Chena River downtown. The crowd was spectacular and went on for miles. I never got nervous, just anxious to get on the trail. Tensions were high as we made last minute preparations and packed the sled in the staging area. My mom, Beverly, was there for the start and I tried very hard to keep her from hearing some of the Quest horror stories or to learn to much about the typical extreme cold temps to be expected on the trail. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5lRh9aYtjeIrCu7qPiDN_hCuxceoOYOEs0PPlbIVEKYJ8Aqkd0iE8iiEyRYgnytBTHaitsip3n8bFSSmekwnvA_7gvH8EtkIZrNhBElqaLRjD_HXvWFBLQIS_K4_Ja9wxXIv9hcXneXzn/s1600-h/P2060114.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5lRh9aYtjeIrCu7qPiDN_hCuxceoOYOEs0PPlbIVEKYJ8Aqkd0iE8iiEyRYgnytBTHaitsip3n8bFSSmekwnvA_7gvH8EtkIZrNhBElqaLRjD_HXvWFBLQIS_K4_Ja9wxXIv9hcXneXzn/s200/P2060114.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
We hooked up the team with the sled tied to the truck and then clipped onto a snowmobile for the 1/4 mile trip to the starting line. My mom had already headed to the starting line with (I heard later) tears in her eyes. Brooke ran with the leaders and Anita jumped on the snowmobile. As we eased our way to the start, the dogs were screaming and jumping in anticipation. This was not going to be another training run and they knew it. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRCCm0HFFi2FO7KMdHR97v6yCnVKMNXWn22Sxoqv3lD1W63WXBFeAL_kZ18MjKcOAViLGbTcAiAeIdQGNeAI1XDMbUHTj5-on7IoIE30T_dfAVITNr_eyNW-sSchVHXQOg5bqR4n0ezhNk/s1600-h/P2060120.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRCCm0HFFi2FO7KMdHR97v6yCnVKMNXWn22Sxoqv3lD1W63WXBFeAL_kZ18MjKcOAViLGbTcAiAeIdQGNeAI1XDMbUHTj5-on7IoIE30T_dfAVITNr_eyNW-sSchVHXQOg5bqR4n0ezhNk/s200/P2060120.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>Shilo and Margaret held the line tight in the starting chute, focusing on the countdown to head down the trail. As the countdown approached and hugs were given all around, a sense of relief came over me. Finally, this is what all this was for. <br />
<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinOi64iuXjDy6QVnghq9Wbcm2eAr9YW1Lb5wm11yvS-dwrXI87-8rVW4Do4W31vijdox-obWk1y-VAk8Zh9m7PIS1E4DM5AgiaL0ovDLIzsbW7i15w1-ol8JleDg6W7_3zgLytrWwz_Byo/s1600-h/P2060122.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinOi64iuXjDy6QVnghq9Wbcm2eAr9YW1Lb5wm11yvS-dwrXI87-8rVW4Do4W31vijdox-obWk1y-VAk8Zh9m7PIS1E4DM5AgiaL0ovDLIzsbW7i15w1-ol8JleDg6W7_3zgLytrWwz_Byo/s200/P2060122.JPG" width="200" /></a>We wove our way through a crowd that seemed an unpenatrable wall, parting just in time. I spent the first couple hundred yards talking to Margaret, hoping that her confidence would hold and not become a public spectacle. Once she realized that the crowd would part, she put her head down and charged. I stood both feet on my drag mat, hoping they would slow down. This hot little dog team was not ready to go 10 mph. They wanted to run as fast as they could. I wanted to also but knew that they would never last like that. 1000 miles is a long way to go.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSyFXUBnsy61cY3gqIsIiDaj46YIj5988NQEgihZWKvfjTHQ0ockip7X2zAwmo6lL6fDIGlRBN0Gr7cw3mUe-8sr_MdtbnYBKHTcPXcC2o3qwNDMVCxYi6NFi09mFfeS88eNqB0VKlggiA/s1600-h/P2060169.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSyFXUBnsy61cY3gqIsIiDaj46YIj5988NQEgihZWKvfjTHQ0ockip7X2zAwmo6lL6fDIGlRBN0Gr7cw3mUe-8sr_MdtbnYBKHTcPXcC2o3qwNDMVCxYi6NFi09mFfeS88eNqB0VKlggiA/s200/P2060169.JPG" width="150" /></a> <br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">We quickly caught Gerry Willomitzer who had left 3 minutes earlier. I tried to keep them behind him as a way to pace the pups, but he waved us by. We ran down the river for 20 miles or so before heading through wooded trails to come out near Two Rivers. There were people all along the way giving cookies, hotdogs, and much appreciated water. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>We came into the Twin Bears Campground, our first checkpoint, just behind Lance Mackey. This was the only place we saw this 2010 2nd place and 4-time former Champion. We rested for 4 hours. Well, at least the dogs did. I was too amped up like almost every other musher there to really sleep. I visited with Brooke, Anita, and my mom for a bit before heading out into the night... the night the adventure truely began.Evening Star Kennelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14560149330953536809noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7450818453489802943.post-86882712944999919362010-02-24T15:29:00.000-08:002010-02-24T15:30:23.639-08:00True Heros of the Trail<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF5P92oMBZhhiS7SUDzWN2OTIbasCS6zoSyCqzhWrEMpmVfWYcRQsbPlP0Mse4_WhCaAzdRRu_yM46F_tP34weR8jaU7XL690XUwR84htTc5uhU_MHrWnJynKSkwaDVfRGT-8pdAoTguhD/s1600-h/P2180615.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF5P92oMBZhhiS7SUDzWN2OTIbasCS6zoSyCqzhWrEMpmVfWYcRQsbPlP0Mse4_WhCaAzdRRu_yM46F_tP34weR8jaU7XL690XUwR84htTc5uhU_MHrWnJynKSkwaDVfRGT-8pdAoTguhD/s320/P2180615.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>Brooke and I and all the doggies made it back to Montana yesterday night. It is good to be home, have the dogs back in the dog yard, and be able to sleep in a bed. What an incredible adventure that I am still and will be processing for a while yet to come. Having had a few days away from the trail, the race, and my mushing family, I have been able to take a step back and think about all that has happend over the last month or so.<br />
<br />
I am so proud of my dogs for their accomplishment. Without them and their ability and desire, we never would have had this opportunity. I had the privilege of watching pups who were born on the floor next to my bed become accomplished veteran dogs. And not only that, they shone in a team of dogs with more age and experience.<br />
<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicrA3FYkPDswU9uasxby3D8ggznzvK_F1bvYTgl6F59pwRKaXR8YBDMxBZOybLHxKyzVyQYmndVhgc8U0qqCJajXiUib1CxUZkiyjasA60lwBevSjE93znalE53PbcCqZg9aVZT-bZ0_Mb/s1600-h/DSCN0102.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicrA3FYkPDswU9uasxby3D8ggznzvK_F1bvYTgl6F59pwRKaXR8YBDMxBZOybLHxKyzVyQYmndVhgc8U0qqCJajXiUib1CxUZkiyjasA60lwBevSjE93znalE53PbcCqZg9aVZT-bZ0_Mb/s200/DSCN0102.JPG" width="150" /></a>Voodoo was one of the smaller dogs in the team but made me laugh more than once when she caught a whiff of who-knows-what and started screaming and charging down the trail getting the whole team amped up and cruising a bit faster. Despite being in season for almost the entire race, Voodoo was a great asset to the team. She started to get sore going into Carmacks so I carried her the last 20 miles into the checkpoint. She quickly curled up in the sled bag and went to sleep. At the checkpoint, the vets and I could find no injury whatsoever so she continued on and never looked back again. She just needed a few more hours of rest.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>Margarita is a big girl and did an excellent job. She is sponsored by Dotty Webster of Landrum, SC (thank you Dotty). Margarita actually gained weight in the first few days of racing as she is a very effective bowl cleaner. If someone else didn't finish their meal, Margarita made sure the dish was clean and ready to go back in the sled. She had a sore wrist for a few early days on the trail but worked through it and finished with no issues at all. Being a young dog, Margarita got more tired than some of the older dogs, but she never gave up or stopped pulling her weight in the team. I see a bright future for this girl and expect to see her in the lead next year.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXdOoFAIXl5OOoefPYm6PItUG9uZXCyGIg3Nx6oQ1TD8AGR-AFcEEiYPylMoDMG_oGL8iQ4Wo6pAS2b-YIMkWuz9mELHI-aFyYvnndrkfFC7Iw-bAbSABci6vGJgmwz_jumOD66P0Y-a38/s1600-h/DSCN0129.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXdOoFAIXl5OOoefPYm6PItUG9uZXCyGIg3Nx6oQ1TD8AGR-AFcEEiYPylMoDMG_oGL8iQ4Wo6pAS2b-YIMkWuz9mELHI-aFyYvnndrkfFC7Iw-bAbSABci6vGJgmwz_jumOD66P0Y-a38/s200/DSCN0129.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>Patron may be, in the future, the best dog in the kennel. This big boy has such a smooth and efficient gait that he is able to avoid a lot of injuries that bigger dogs can be more prone to. Patron never missed a beat and, like his sister Voodoo, was able to energize the team and get them moving down the trail at even faster speed. Patron is my watch dog and is always aware of what is going on around him. On the first leg of the race, we ran down the Chena River. There were places we went under auto bridges or paralleled the highway. Patron apparently likes to chase cars and would just charge down the river when he saw one. On the last leg, he saw or smelled or heard something and got the team loping down the trail for a few miles. If only I have 5 more of him.<br />
<br />
Sneezy is the fourth yearling, though he is 5 months older than the other 3. Sneezy led at least 250 miles of the Quest and ran in swing, just behind the leaders, a good portion of the rest of the time. Sneezy was a maintanence-free dog, never needing wrist wraps or shoulder rubs to keep him primed. The only thing Sneezy ever did that wasn't perfect was get in a fight with Lightning coming into the Mile 101 checkpoint because we had to wait 5 minutes to park as we came in behind 2 other teams. They didn't want to stop there at all.<br />
<br />
There were also 4 two year olds in the finishing team. They contributed so much to the team and even surprised me at their staying power. Boggle was the 5th two year old who was dropped in Dawson as he was tired and not having fun anymore.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgblP7-yJqrLi6K7wnWs-3fEiDeBs0xPTB-jec1JB8CsrLSQf0XhT48bCkqUvD0Qf0tG6gTcY4c9T2FG79JpDAmurEJOBZLvF2l0y_Nwa-P0jO81lqllRVzYVaXMxO1pSQgrYSKqsafeLeb/s1600-h/DSCN0133.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgblP7-yJqrLi6K7wnWs-3fEiDeBs0xPTB-jec1JB8CsrLSQf0XhT48bCkqUvD0Qf0tG6gTcY4c9T2FG79JpDAmurEJOBZLvF2l0y_Nwa-P0jO81lqllRVzYVaXMxO1pSQgrYSKqsafeLeb/s200/DSCN0133.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>Charlotte was a huge surprise. I almost didn't bring her. She is not a leader and though she generally doesn't pick fights, she never loses them and usually leaves the other dog a mess. But she surprised me by working hard the whole way, eating and resting well, and getting along with everyone in the team. Charlotte was sore coming off of King Solomon Dome out of Dawson at the beginning to the second half and the longest stretch between checkpoints. I loaded her into the sled for the descent to our day camp spot. I decided I would drop her at Scroggie Creek where we would be camping that night. Because it was so hilly and my load still so large, I put her back in the team planning to leave her in Scroggie in 50 miles. She never limped again and finished with flying colors. Charlotte is a great long distance dog as she ALWAYS eats. She didn't lose a bit of weight and was bright and playful within 12 hours of finishing.<br />
<br />
Goon did a great job and lead one of the earlier legs. She was consistent and ran wherever and with whoever I needed her to be. She never needed any maintanence and never missed a beat. Goon was always the first to get up off the straw when it was time to go and never needed any extra encouragement to get out of bed and hit the trail. She learned a lot on this trip and I expect to see her leading the team a lot more in the future.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoE2ktYVj-KRF_FwY2J0ohM4Q0PtcBezK6NJwiJ-mh88fuQmYaMVRPKNPbp6Irhp76JXNervkAgCFppFcl1gv1ZKgPAJI0bLX5zdWLRBkWy9HG5x28wfOUqCKtO8aE9Vq75KM40R-WI1U7/s1600-h/DSCN0130.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoE2ktYVj-KRF_FwY2J0ohM4Q0PtcBezK6NJwiJ-mh88fuQmYaMVRPKNPbp6Irhp76JXNervkAgCFppFcl1gv1ZKgPAJI0bLX5zdWLRBkWy9HG5x28wfOUqCKtO8aE9Vq75KM40R-WI1U7/s200/DSCN0130.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Lightning was phenomenal. Especially considering that 2 weeks before he was practically 3 legged. I don't know why or what was wrong with him, but he was quite the limper. One week before the Quest start, he seemed to be better so I ran him 20 miles and he was fine. The next day, he ran our last 70 mile training run and hasn't looked back since. Lightning ran in lead here and there but was absolutely essential in supporting the leader from his position in swing just being them for 800 miles. I thought he would be one to need constant attention to keep him from getting sore but he never needed anything extra from me. He was consistently working hard and took good care of himself. This young male (one of 3 boys in the finishing team) has a great future ahead of him.</div><br />
Margaret led from the start with Shilo. It was a crazy maze of people for the first mile or so. I was really worried that it would back her off. But after the first 100 yards or so of reassuring her, she hit the end of her tug and wove her way right through the middle of the crowd. Margaret was one of my best leaders early on for ice, overflow, and wind blown trails. She is serious about her job in lead and works hard no matter where she is in the team. Margaret so impressed me with her leadership, showing up some of the older dogs, she earned her royal title "Milady Margaret" and will be leading the team to great successes to come.<br />
<br />
And lastly, the ladies who deserve the most credit for leadership and staying power:<br />
<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Etna was the first working sled dog I bought when I started my own team. She was sold as a team dog but quickly showed she knew what to do up front. Although she has always been a great command leader, I have never quite come to trust her to be there for me when the going got tough and tensions rose. But she proved me wrong on this trip. Etna took charge and pulled the team safely across glare ice, sidehill glaciers and overflow. She put her head down in the wind and carried on. Etna never needed any extra care except for her windburned belly. I am excited to harness break her pups from last year and see if they are as good as the mom and pop (Lightning).</div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTYXO6Xngh1OJ5NLRwAMfndPgO9TDNrX0ioZX04PwzhZUEggc74HMyNLKyDybdg6tTXzAnlKSOzKA0t1Z7vwiv_UluTrPDgm4GrlFaliljsmxgCnKQ63LNfhwRTzHiVGyqwQKRsfCOmMK4/s1600-h/DSCN0134.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTYXO6Xngh1OJ5NLRwAMfndPgO9TDNrX0ioZX04PwzhZUEggc74HMyNLKyDybdg6tTXzAnlKSOzKA0t1Z7vwiv_UluTrPDgm4GrlFaliljsmxgCnKQ63LNfhwRTzHiVGyqwQKRsfCOmMK4/s320/DSCN0134.JPG" /></a>Annabel (sponsored by Beverly Davis in memory of another Annabelle) might have had the greatest transformation of all the dogs in the team. She has always been shy and skiddish with strangers. I have always thought it such a shame that no one but me ever got to see her hilarious personality. Annabel had a hard time in the first half as she was very sore. She got lots of massages and heat packs. She always had a shocked look for me when it was time to get up from a sleep and go again. After the 36 hour in Dawson, she was a completely different dog. She was no longer so and she was a phenomenal leader. She led 250-300 of the last 450 miles. She was always ready to go and the last to fall asleep at the checkpoints, making sure we really were stopped for a bit. After the race was over, Annabel decided Brooke and Anita were both friends. She solicitied play from both and even approached my dad, who she had never met, on her own. Annabel has always been hard to keep weight on but she didn't lose a bit on this race. Once Annabel got over the hump and figured it all out, she only looked at what adventure might be ahead. Watch out for Annabel for years to come.</div><br />
Whitney is worth her weight in gold. That would be 41.3 pounds of gold. The smallest dogs on the team but most deserving of praise, Whitney led more than half of the race. Despite being tired and sore at times, she always got up when it was time to go and led the team out of camp and down the trail. Once she figured out ice and overflow, she never balked at anything. This little dog gave 200% at all times. Whitney led the team into Whitehorse with Shilo where I heard comments on how amazing it was that they continued to hold the line tight even though they were done and there were people milling about. Even when all the other dogs had got to the truck, Whit and Shilo did their jobs and kept the line tight until their turn to walk to the truck and curl up for a much deserved sleep. I hope to have Whitney in my team for any race I ever do.<br />
<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Shilo is the queen bee. She now has 3 1000 mile races to her credit. Shilo was my crutch and the only dog in the team with a 1000 mile race to her name. Although the others stood up and showed that I didn't need a crutch, Shilo was essential to the team's success. Although she still doesn't like standing water on the trail, Shilo lead the team over mountains, over jumble ice, through tight winding trails, and into the head wind on the Yukon River. When not in lead, Shilo would answer any command I gave with an exasperated scream if the other leaders didn't respond fast enough. Shilo rode contentedly in the back seat of the truck all the way home. Shilo won't be going anywhere anytime soon.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOO0YAiIoZmyxz4MKR0ds6fCd7qCrgoPtCSBK0fAWQ87puxsoobB1485tcag8j7tdm5rmJqGD5k3ElS0g9FFJnlHWIH7gKcsJUCWIULCKRbwo2Jt5cJWJaCBPAL4uzRrxhxsvPHwns43D6/s1600-h/P2180585.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOO0YAiIoZmyxz4MKR0ds6fCd7qCrgoPtCSBK0fAWQ87puxsoobB1485tcag8j7tdm5rmJqGD5k3ElS0g9FFJnlHWIH7gKcsJUCWIULCKRbwo2Jt5cJWJaCBPAL4uzRrxhxsvPHwns43D6/s320/P2180585.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>So those are the real heros of the story. They are happy to be home and have a different look in their eye. They have been somewhere and done something and are now stronger and wiser. These dogs are my friends and travelling companions and for that I give them my love and care and respect. Now we all get a much needed and deserved break and we're going to go have some fun in the hills of Montana.Evening Star Kennelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14560149330953536809noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7450818453489802943.post-47734074620127879652010-02-21T08:21:00.000-08:002010-02-21T08:21:04.822-08:00Bittersweet End to the Adventure<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Rf1EhRKLustDI2VFtKWS52gPSNvuYJyHa2q0v_Q_ZrBg4pc6VHE0mF2eu55rKlbvUoSLR9W8WVATv6HLHwPkXj02Qb1RigoWeYRdvzkf4g7-uWNUb7zC0Pe8ixnFm3lgCo0Y0-aYOy-J/s1600-h/DSCN0105.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ct="true" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Rf1EhRKLustDI2VFtKWS52gPSNvuYJyHa2q0v_Q_ZrBg4pc6VHE0mF2eu55rKlbvUoSLR9W8WVATv6HLHwPkXj02Qb1RigoWeYRdvzkf4g7-uWNUb7zC0Pe8ixnFm3lgCo0Y0-aYOy-J/s200/DSCN0105.JPG" width="150" /></a>I find myself at a loss for words to describe the experience of the last 2 weeks, 2 months and year. We made it to the finishline and now all that I have worked so hard for and planned for is done. I thought perhaps this trip would shed some light on what happens next. But I find that instead of finding clarity of thought, everything has become more blurred. Maybe that is just the sleep deprivation.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOMX7te4POIl1lArOUA2aMlaRitXcnWLsBuGzf-fi39lJMGwEUEbK-Ct0qvYUmXA574kCR_kHtXNwWvYK1zWPzxJbg8dqZbxVEBrxZ1TpqGHV3yzhZKqeiMXPkMSdbyOFW5c7pdgNX0zzJ/s1600-h/DSCN0099.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" ct="true" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOMX7te4POIl1lArOUA2aMlaRitXcnWLsBuGzf-fi39lJMGwEUEbK-Ct0qvYUmXA574kCR_kHtXNwWvYK1zWPzxJbg8dqZbxVEBrxZ1TpqGHV3yzhZKqeiMXPkMSdbyOFW5c7pdgNX0zzJ/s200/DSCN0099.JPG" width="150" /></a>The dogs did an incredible job and there is something changed in them now, especially the younger dogs. They know they have done something. They aren't just your average dogs anymore (if they ever were). They are Quest veterans and have traveled 1000 miles over rugged terrain. 12 of 14 starting dogs finished the whole race. Boggle was dropped in Dawson as he just wasn't having fun anymore. Miss Cleo stayed there as well. The whole team had had a bit of an intestinal bug that Cleo just couldn't seem to shake. Brooke and Anita took great care of her and she was back to herself in 24 hours. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">We saw some beautiful scenery but spent a lot of time in the dark wishing for a full moon. The Northern Lights were spectacular and at times seemingly touchable. I traveled a lot of the first half with Bart De Marie and Peter Fleck. We had a lot of fun on the trail and in checkpoints. Going out of Eagle toward Dawson City, we got spread out and I traveled most of the second half by myself just seeing the boys and Jennifer Raffaeli at the occassional checkpoint.<br />
<br />
I am having technical difficulties adding pictures and now am heading out the door for the rest of the adventure: 4 days in the truck to finally return home. I will work on some stories to tell and hopefully be able to make a post en route or as soon as we return home. Thank you to all you sponsors, supporters, followers, friends, family, Brooke and Anita for believing in me and offering you support in so many ways.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghgBtqDqmX81aStmsgVX7AZu0gECk6uWx7vYYyVMro1eGaqAzbvjwrSSJXhFt4mBIlfcgmKhHrtE3k32P3Ooih9MgFwrSlKS6340dSNfGCvZX62Hn1LS5fgrzBQMkdtQKcvpjDOTSMYN8h/s1600-h/DSCN0131.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ct="true" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghgBtqDqmX81aStmsgVX7AZu0gECk6uWx7vYYyVMro1eGaqAzbvjwrSSJXhFt4mBIlfcgmKhHrtE3k32P3Ooih9MgFwrSlKS6340dSNfGCvZX62Hn1LS5fgrzBQMkdtQKcvpjDOTSMYN8h/s200/DSCN0131.JPG" width="150" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div></div>Evening Star Kennelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14560149330953536809noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7450818453489802943.post-8327801441211176682010-02-19T12:54:00.000-08:002010-02-19T12:54:11.926-08:00The Team has Crossed the Finish Line It has been such an adventure! All the superlatives you can think of will apply...It has been a bonding experience as well, kind of an exclusive club. They are not ROOKIES anymore! We are so grateful for the friends we have made on this trip. It is heartwarming to see you all show up at the finish line after midnight when you could have been enjoying a nice warm bed after all those miles. Thank you Bart, Stefaan, Marc, Karine, Darryl and Cindy, Richard and Mary, Peter, Gary and all the rest. We are also happy to see that Katie's father; John made the trip up to see the finish. Katie was pleasantly surprised - she didn't expect so many at that late hour. It really meant alot to her.<br />
There are two teams still out there on the course, Pierre-Antoine Hertier and Jocelyn LeBlanc. Hopefully they'll be in tomorrow and will be able to participate in the events to celebrate the Quest.<br />
Katie is winding down, it is a roller coaster. Kind of hard to believe that it is over. It is fairly late now - time to catch an overdue shower and try to make up for a bit of the sleep deficit...<br />
Note: It is now midday, on Friday. The first paragraphs were right after the team came in. This will be my last post...I'll let Katie reclaim her blogspot. Thank you so much for allowing me to share my observations with you. Thank you Katie and Brooke for allowing me to share in this wonderful experience. I am a bit sad that it is almost over - I have had so much fun and am so impressed with the sport, the dogs, the scenery - and the people. Anita.Evening Star Kennelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14560149330953536809noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7450818453489802943.post-78748297776871389562010-02-18T21:33:00.000-08:002010-02-18T21:33:21.695-08:008 Hours In Braeburn and ON TO WHITEHORSE!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkjpTKrp0rBN3m5Hl-Ez5op2j2h5qbrCMjm5PRmO6exba8uD9C9h_sf2-cdr_dmzLVY6jUmxYD0ghMMP5YlC577xhfa7z1-9NtwnYuWO7HLz5slaeDbQL_AvK81f89nz7rMBV0ZcZT9od-/s1600-h/P2170485.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ct="true" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkjpTKrp0rBN3m5Hl-Ez5op2j2h5qbrCMjm5PRmO6exba8uD9C9h_sf2-cdr_dmzLVY6jUmxYD0ghMMP5YlC577xhfa7z1-9NtwnYuWO7HLz5slaeDbQL_AvK81f89nz7rMBV0ZcZT9od-/s200/P2170485.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> Have we taken an opportunity on this journey to thank all of you for taking interest in Katie's race? It seems we haven't - and we really should. Because without all of the support this endeavor would not have been possible. Katie hasn't seen the blog since she started in Fairbanks, but we do keep her updated as your comments come in and we let her know that this blogspot has received more than 5,000 hits since its inception. 1200 of those have occured in the last 7 days. Once again thank you for your kind words and please know you have helped Katie to accomplish her dream.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">For all of you folks in the Whitefish area a few of Katie's nearest and dearest want to welcome her home in style. Please join them for a reception at the Great Northern Brewery on Saturday, Feb. 27th at 7:30 pm.</div><br />
<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRTStks74BDLZ7V0-yxU_U-3fgBIvPTY_Gj0MDFKdzol0xl5narZdjykQ8DxJbp5y6Dfm2cZ9s9LtG33QtkY6s1xZ3o4Wvxfuz4SbFD7JosDASBJKsLAUa6SA8xbZrb2YscuWbQUfpqQr8/s1600-h/P2170486.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ct="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRTStks74BDLZ7V0-yxU_U-3fgBIvPTY_Gj0MDFKdzol0xl5narZdjykQ8DxJbp5y6Dfm2cZ9s9LtG33QtkY6s1xZ3o4Wvxfuz4SbFD7JosDASBJKsLAUa6SA8xbZrb2YscuWbQUfpqQr8/s320/P2170486.JPG" /></a> </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">So, back to the Quest. The stop in Braeburn is really a wide spot on the highway! There is a fuel station and a cozy restaurant. They do have hamburgers the size of the plate as are the cinnamon buns, and the smell of the fresh bread baking was not fair!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> Bart made really good time from Carmacks. He crossed the highway first - still in daylight. The next team in - arriving at 6:35 was Jennifer Raffaeli followed by Peter Fleck just before all light faded at 7:02 pm. (The daylight has increased a great deal since we have been here.) We enjoyed some videos and kept checking the livetracker...some took naps and some were afraid to go to sleep for fear of not waking in time to welcome the team...the greeters were all on hand when Katie came down the hill and crossed the highway at the last minute of the midnight hour.</div><br />
<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5_lYhhbj1-8z4S1cDKyoLRPbHF652q4U4LcBMMZndGoVURwtTYQGy89Wl2qqaBJ5JVbYM_vMuxmwA_tRX_DEehdtlwTgmU6G7njgJmnW-LGw5fwWSJ61BehG37IQXY1hAtFWIbmNDli9f/s1600-h/P2180541.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" ct="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5_lYhhbj1-8z4S1cDKyoLRPbHF652q4U4LcBMMZndGoVURwtTYQGy89Wl2qqaBJ5JVbYM_vMuxmwA_tRX_DEehdtlwTgmU6G7njgJmnW-LGw5fwWSJ61BehG37IQXY1hAtFWIbmNDli9f/s320/P2180541.JPG" /></a> </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> Each team made the best use of their 8 hour layover and did not waste a minute getting back on the trail. Bart left at 1:35 am as Katie was settling her dogs in for the night. Peter was able to leave at 3:02 am. Next out was Jenn Raffaeli at 3:06 am. Katie was able to leave at the very sensible hour of 9:10 am. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> And they are off to Whitehorse!! </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> On to Whitehorse our final destination! Bart wasted no time and arrived to great fanfare at 1:14 pm.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Peter Fleck finished his race at 3:22 by rewarding each of his beloved dogs with a steak! Jennifer and her team came into view and finished at 4:17 pm. Congratulations to all! Now we have to go because Katie is about 20 miles from the finish line and we need to be there!!! More to follow from Whitehorse...</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd6ZZP-ipidZxREnMoMGjMpgCtZ-OCREYUs1OhmhqqpoGfqI4rg5x_joOXmpcGbDshSiRj7HsccwRGKv3aJN1MVqT14NeZR_PM3t__bRpF54pn6emYELWI3fN39zyhLvk0vNjorNU0AZ9R/s1600-h/P2180527.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ct="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd6ZZP-ipidZxREnMoMGjMpgCtZ-OCREYUs1OhmhqqpoGfqI4rg5x_joOXmpcGbDshSiRj7HsccwRGKv3aJN1MVqT14NeZR_PM3t__bRpF54pn6emYELWI3fN39zyhLvk0vNjorNU0AZ9R/s320/P2180527.JPG" /></a></div>Evening Star Kennelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14560149330953536809noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7450818453489802943.post-51151196022130439032010-02-17T11:40:00.000-08:002010-02-18T18:32:41.291-08:00Pelly Crossing to McCabe Creek to Carmacks<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy0FY8MkbGpUXobj0JpTupWBUSqjIytf4tGwVrPgmKzqwruk1h2lUb4jMN70qb8vB_SUZoOLzpLZivfyMpsc65aeVVOQ9hYMd098e3dDwMO9L0SKXqx21Z1jtnm8dUxKwe6s5Sw0QYDomV/s1600-h/P2170478.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ct="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy0FY8MkbGpUXobj0JpTupWBUSqjIytf4tGwVrPgmKzqwruk1h2lUb4jMN70qb8vB_SUZoOLzpLZivfyMpsc65aeVVOQ9hYMd098e3dDwMO9L0SKXqx21Z1jtnm8dUxKwe6s5Sw0QYDomV/s320/P2170478.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> In case you haven't noticed there are alot of stops along this trail. I have heard that the distances between checkpoints on this race are greater than that of the Iditarod. The mushers often choose to camp along the trail in between checks. My information is that some prefer to rest along the trail instead of at the checks.</div> There are some checks that have mandatory rest requirements; such as the 36 hr. at Dawson City. The check our teams are heading for at this point is a mandatory 8 hour rest at Braeburn. Where our sources tell us they serve hamburgers of enormous proportions and also the 'world's largest homemade cinnamon rolls'!!!<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> We are currently waiting a bit before we leave Carmacks, where I have enjoyed maybe not the world's largest but a very tasty cinnamon roll from the kitchen of Dale. She also whips up a fine breakfast. These folks have been manning these checkpoints round the clock for more than a week and they are as welcoming to us as they were to those guys that blew through the front half of the race. Imagine the logistics to staff the entire race with officials, teams of veterinarians (from around the globe) and masses of volunteers! </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho4Ys0_9fji_FI_eUr4sCj62tjlL3mbXwFS8b5Deu7vRY3IQUTTgpUvhNIzyhxc1COHfCxtBILMIIhw8W92ZYObg3_6GGe6g24JTv4DAqQ1HTyv_EyodUYWAy0LGpTsa39_qM4LkoCiqmh/s1600-h/P2160467.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" ct="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho4Ys0_9fji_FI_eUr4sCj62tjlL3mbXwFS8b5Deu7vRY3IQUTTgpUvhNIzyhxc1COHfCxtBILMIIhw8W92ZYObg3_6GGe6g24JTv4DAqQ1HTyv_EyodUYWAy0LGpTsa39_qM4LkoCiqmh/s320/P2160467.JPG" /></a> The first of our travelling party to reach Carmacks was our friend, Bart. He arrived at 5:56 pm with 10 dogs. Peter pulled in at 6:30 pm - also with 10 dogs. Jennifer Raffaeli pulled up at 11:05 pm with 13 dogs and Katie made it here half-past midnight with her 12 team members.</div> The teams approach from the river - we could see the headlamp of our team from more than half a mile out. There is a steep climb up the bank right out onto the road surface. There is a nice 'snow curb' to help funnel the dogs along the trail toward the check. Some other teams had a bit of trouble there - the dogs instinct was to bust straight over the curb and head for the crossroads. Katie and the dogs handled it with little fuss and then we just had to guide them in to their 'parking' area. We did have to assist in turning the team to face the direction of the trailhead. Interesting for me due to my lack of experience handling them.<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> What we (novices) also don't realize is how much work it is to care for the dogs once they are off the trail. They have to spend a great deal of time unhooking lines, offering water, removing booties, bedding them down, heating water, unloading supplies from the sled, preparing food, feeding them...and then the musher has to take care of themselves - because as Katie said; "Who will take care of the dogs if I don't take care of myself?" And on the other side of the coin - read the list sort of backwards to get an idea of the prep this morning to get ready to head back out again!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQs2EQr9YkXuSDRycA_mI-H473q16W-NiJKet9_Wzf8xH2nIJYCk9PoGDKbxOhbK-VRjrwzcu0-vOnbtfNxIdHx6TKCJ4Eprly2OOlY8hMqJhhD7dZfIIUIOYRwvM1D8S7jwjLCvTPUaXY/s1600-h/P2160470.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ct="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQs2EQr9YkXuSDRycA_mI-H473q16W-NiJKet9_Wzf8xH2nIJYCk9PoGDKbxOhbK-VRjrwzcu0-vOnbtfNxIdHx6TKCJ4Eprly2OOlY8hMqJhhD7dZfIIUIOYRwvM1D8S7jwjLCvTPUaXY/s320/P2160470.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> So, not too long after Katie arrived Bart prepared to leave. His team headed out at 2:11 am this (Wed.) morning, then Peter left at 4:53 followed by the Jenn Raffaeli team at 5:15 and Katie and our 12 rocked on at 9:20 am. Now they are heading toward Braeburn (about 80 miles) and beyond that the finish line in WHITEHORSE! (About 110 miles)</div> We expect her there on Friday as it stands now. <br />
<br />
Evening Star Kennelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14560149330953536809noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7450818453489802943.post-16324438497622692692010-02-16T07:03:00.000-08:002010-02-18T18:25:11.947-08:00Over the River and thru the Bush!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisaRCzx5nXIy0k8T3oi-U8f12d9lwE-x79TJIt_UzO34uYzhV4JS1wyirrxmJ55QRq530CTQOw_3Sn6ZX7VKJ3WAqR5BilX1Tz3t7Q-6G7NgwynRZcw8rn3eUmFE_JXnPuXJt5FohVvwxO/s1600-h/P2150428.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ct="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisaRCzx5nXIy0k8T3oi-U8f12d9lwE-x79TJIt_UzO34uYzhV4JS1wyirrxmJ55QRq530CTQOw_3Sn6ZX7VKJ3WAqR5BilX1Tz3t7Q-6G7NgwynRZcw8rn3eUmFE_JXnPuXJt5FohVvwxO/s320/P2150428.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> Today is Tuesday, Feb. 16 and Brooke and I are in Pelly Crossing. Another beautiful ride surrounded by breath-taking vistas. The scenery is phenomenal. Once again I can only imagine what Katie must be experiencing from the trail. We have seen the Northern Lights several times and while we feel we are in remote locations there is still light pollution from the towns that washes out the colors. The view that the mushers must have! </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf8uQVxgBdtAPTNIkYPIJBhZ_aDR-6nLIWxpZnv73zlE4SWci50zBOZskhZuxEhB5vdbU49smm1KCIM5252VAingiSkk-bBFvjJP0Q1vqccX3mR7SE5TGZoNIARzYJqjtv10LrBPQ7E6Ul/s1600-h/P2160460.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ct="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf8uQVxgBdtAPTNIkYPIJBhZ_aDR-6nLIWxpZnv73zlE4SWci50zBOZskhZuxEhB5vdbU49smm1KCIM5252VAingiSkk-bBFvjJP0Q1vqccX3mR7SE5TGZoNIARzYJqjtv10LrBPQ7E6Ul/s320/P2160460.JPG" width="320" /></a> </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGtilEoL4u7Uzw-2UjdECZYRL0-tdsu8HMolNJCm6XBSVndK5ktx_fYmewdzQFEgjbuLDaJmtLG-wA53muF8POpO96xjlt1NdG2PWUbv4RwFbtfD08aWsJmuVTEWYQVQfp6GW_fEf__drn/s1600-h/P2160454.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" ct="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGtilEoL4u7Uzw-2UjdECZYRL0-tdsu8HMolNJCm6XBSVndK5ktx_fYmewdzQFEgjbuLDaJmtLG-wA53muF8POpO96xjlt1NdG2PWUbv4RwFbtfD08aWsJmuVTEWYQVQfp6GW_fEf__drn/s320/P2160454.JPG" width="320" /></a> </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> We arrived yesterday afternoon and did what handlers do best, waited on the teams. We also ate and laughed and cared for the dogs on the truck and ...waited. Katie's livetracker was not operating (Brooke is addicted to following by this method) so it becomes a guessing game as to when she may arrive. You listen to the teams arriving ahead of her and assess their travel time and trail conditions, etc. Bart De Marie came in about 2 am, followed by Peter Fleck and then Jenn Rafaeli and then just before 5 am YK time our team pulled in. This was a good bit ahead of the time we estimated last night. They (the team) made up about 2 hours on the folks that had gone from Dawson City ahead of her.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> So, I was sleeping when they pulled in but here is the report that Brooke has gleaned from Katie while she was bedding down her dogs.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> Katie chewed an entire pack of gum on the way here. She doesn't ordinarily chew gum but has found that it does help keep her awake while on the runners. I am really happy to hear that she is very pleased with the recovery of the team since she pulled into Dawson City. They are motivated and she feels she 'got her team back'...rest is so important!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzC_612qGyO_eYLhzqy3meA1Qz6MJKRFXWBi9Qk8vTCGWiADoBMxUuyuSq1JfJAeBJ6uMt1g8P8h4qb_sbAVtGyCsp254M5i-pY2z-QUz26S8Ve4CyW8Qc4936bZVy5l6JIFkID7UjvBjR/s1600-h/P2160446.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ct="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzC_612qGyO_eYLhzqy3meA1Qz6MJKRFXWBi9Qk8vTCGWiADoBMxUuyuSq1JfJAeBJ6uMt1g8P8h4qb_sbAVtGyCsp254M5i-pY2z-QUz26S8Ve4CyW8Qc4936bZVy5l6JIFkID7UjvBjR/s320/P2160446.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> There is a condition out on the ice referred to as 'overflow'. I have only learned about it on this trip - and Katie's dog have learned about it on this trip as well. It is where water comes over the ice and may be deep or may be shallow but sometimes it is standing water. The first encounter was just outside of Two Rivers...the very first checkpoint of the race. Another musher that ended up in it, Kelly Griffin, described it as; "an Olympic sized swimming pool..." Bear in mind that they are travelling in the dark. They do have very bright headlamps that shine ahead - but the team is on a line stretching more than 30 feet ahead of them. At speed. Those of you that ride horses know the accordion effect when one horse at the head of the line stops suddenly...or driving a car if you don't ride : ) So, there have been a couple of overflow encounters along the way. While the weather has been very warm for this time of year - it is not pleasant to go swimming or get your feet wet! </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> Sometimes the overflow is from melting snow crossing a down-slope. It then refreezes into a slick glacier that these dogs aren't accustomed to either. Etna is a new fearless leader! She confidently powered the team right across frozen overflow. She earned some brownie points with this newly aquired skill! Much to Katie's relief.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> On this leg she had Etna in front for awhile and of course Whitney and Shiloh did alot of leading. Katie mixes up the pairings she says so that no two dogs spend too much time together.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> The terrain is changing now. While the just completed portion was described as hilly once they got past King Soloman's Dome, it will level out somewhat. Lots of river ice to cover - travel along roads some, etc.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The amount of food Katie left Dawson City was enormous! Her sledbag was stuffed tight and the weight of the food for the dogs changed the way the sled handled. Big impact on the musher.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> Oh and by the way - the race was won yesterday! Broke all kinds of records this year. This is the first year ever that all teams have checked in to Dawson City with no scratches. More teams are finishing with less dogs dropped. This is really a science.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> Katie reports that the Northern Lights were so impressive last night that she felt like a tourist! She had her eyes to the sky - one of the rewards for being on the trail in the middle of the night going over the river and through the bush!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> </div>Evening Star Kennelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14560149330953536809noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7450818453489802943.post-44913550156052939442010-02-14T09:41:00.000-08:002010-02-14T09:41:08.836-08:00Pictures from the Trail<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7s1ppnXceeD-2RLZVvLZqbhuceHZNYyWXxvUTba9yMtoLHYQoVpGbHjhCbVaMDzXoekeB17YzhlZk804hqZfyIjOZj7U_qCKoU1FK2XQKgGZwk3ttFXXIOwa4jzjDDMDcHzuse8FgEo7i/s1600-h/DSCN0060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ct="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7s1ppnXceeD-2RLZVvLZqbhuceHZNYyWXxvUTba9yMtoLHYQoVpGbHjhCbVaMDzXoekeB17YzhlZk804hqZfyIjOZj7U_qCKoU1FK2XQKgGZwk3ttFXXIOwa4jzjDDMDcHzuse8FgEo7i/s320/DSCN0060.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Katie had a few spare moments out on the trail to take a few photos. She reports that the trail is rather rough and technical. She has incountered several obsticles and has prevailed. Now she is over half way finished and looking good. Enjoy her photos.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The team moving throw snow ghost.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGI4TLvVjr3SqRCDBGHp8s8LjXxqdYG6izciANdq9Y461TgxGcl1iD8tlQF9zQftv7njiQ2mopS-ObljtH6QJAElh1V6kIzkIqNhOVEF1LyEyFtQ4jRCQQZ7G8mZsCk5pJpK1TF_nTp844/s1600-h/DSCN0083.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" ct="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGI4TLvVjr3SqRCDBGHp8s8LjXxqdYG6izciANdq9Y461TgxGcl1iD8tlQF9zQftv7njiQ2mopS-ObljtH6QJAElh1V6kIzkIqNhOVEF1LyEyFtQ4jRCQQZ7G8mZsCk5pJpK1TF_nTp844/s320/DSCN0083.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: right;">Bart De Marie tending to his team. </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjikm6lScBZqVKTBhXBppW_SNqXC2eHQrxDDMDiyB0Svhy4lxz6M54OQoNYshOGqLvWCpIMJmhjqZXCLwvraGhhDic8Z0I5MORQW0V9r8IVpCn3NJou9wX1Np4wEAo9QGOzqQ_XnDPA6_a_/s1600-h/DSCN0087.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ct="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjikm6lScBZqVKTBhXBppW_SNqXC2eHQrxDDMDiyB0Svhy4lxz6M54OQoNYshOGqLvWCpIMJmhjqZXCLwvraGhhDic8Z0I5MORQW0V9r8IVpCn3NJou9wX1Np4wEAo9QGOzqQ_XnDPA6_a_/s320/DSCN0087.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">The team resting.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0xEXarXfJaHHwVKPqOEYeppM6SBJqlPnLs35Am3DaMZCK79rTLpqWsBFplfA6WrPMINEFddtk-PfVYuAjm5J4OlYn4A3W2TdArjuCYSMsaPNOVVGHIF0XIZvmyzZAW_vxqJKKZmgdubXQ/s1600-h/DSCN0074.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ct="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0xEXarXfJaHHwVKPqOEYeppM6SBJqlPnLs35Am3DaMZCK79rTLpqWsBFplfA6WrPMINEFddtk-PfVYuAjm5J4OlYn4A3W2TdArjuCYSMsaPNOVVGHIF0XIZvmyzZAW_vxqJKKZmgdubXQ/s320/DSCN0074.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"> Jumble ice on the river<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGjNR2bm68qh3BvegkY-iWdwp_xKxsUojlr_kaw06ixtEDr1arL-Gb6J6VZ5rIYrFDjss36QYiFC89QSdB164FnIfL52XmlDMW08uRG87NLQxaTjhyphenhyphenbfS3mYikuDa48URkR7MrjXu0yXEv/s1600-h/DSCN0080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" ct="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGjNR2bm68qh3BvegkY-iWdwp_xKxsUojlr_kaw06ixtEDr1arL-Gb6J6VZ5rIYrFDjss36QYiFC89QSdB164FnIfL52XmlDMW08uRG87NLQxaTjhyphenhyphenbfS3mYikuDa48URkR7MrjXu0yXEv/s320/DSCN0080.JPG" /></a>.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"> A beautiful sun rise on the river.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWRSg-iOqnuY4bKpQBMcoZhxkecAv8HvDTIA-ji0eForP_BR7XyseAEn_SMKx5rruEXF8bARA7-POMseWEjB4sN9-uUXUsEUZ3L056aVwjtXwvqd1gAmMMnE7HI70z7gbm0xrHVxMpFl_l/s1600-h/DSCN0066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ct="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWRSg-iOqnuY4bKpQBMcoZhxkecAv8HvDTIA-ji0eForP_BR7XyseAEn_SMKx5rruEXF8bARA7-POMseWEjB4sN9-uUXUsEUZ3L056aVwjtXwvqd1gAmMMnE7HI70z7gbm0xrHVxMpFl_l/s320/DSCN0066.JPG" /></a></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div align="left" class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>Evening Star Kennelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14560149330953536809noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7450818453489802943.post-42339883530140962432010-02-14T08:01:00.000-08:002010-02-14T10:30:19.437-08:00Happy Valentine's day from Dawson City, YK<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGVrxofyYdDrDzHOaxGuBjSsf_Sm_vZODnkS4S8PpTo4-RCfgyPrXnQsabg8t1rbSepqWl9UIFq-yP1zK5DXf1okoD-f2B11s2cjahnrmkyhXBDTRqbEKnryR4DeL3eY2E7A4e2M3WE_-X/s1600-h/P2130413.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" ct="true" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGVrxofyYdDrDzHOaxGuBjSsf_Sm_vZODnkS4S8PpTo4-RCfgyPrXnQsabg8t1rbSepqWl9UIFq-yP1zK5DXf1okoD-f2B11s2cjahnrmkyhXBDTRqbEKnryR4DeL3eY2E7A4e2M3WE_-X/s200/P2130413.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> So glad that Brooke and I arrived in Dawson ahead of Katie and had a chance to catch up on some rest. The Fifth Avenue bed and breakfast is the place to do it - very comfortable and the folks, Tracy and Steve are great hosts.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> Once Katie and the team arrived it was on! With half of the race complete there are alot of used and used up supplies to manage. Not to mention some tired and travel-weary dogs and a very wired musher. This mandatory 36 hour lay-over is for the dogs, for sure. Because while Katie was able to make a small dent in her sleep deficit, she still had to unpack her sled - assess its condition -make the necessary repairs - dry the sled bag and other drenched equipment - account for supplies - (remember the stolen drop bag?!) go over and over and over her lists and plan her next leg of the journey. There is also a great need for food. She freezes alot of vacuum sealed meals for the trail but the requirements are quite high to make up for the caloric drain the race demands.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-80OHvXQGE1DdZORVySqj0_HadMfaBn4HnM2gDKMA-8ZNuSNzrGSIcS50T5sFaJhpiVezrxHjFon2C7x8uxYjn9LBn5SI-lVC2fgLNT8JdwYbLBNtyu1GzWQsEZWAL6n8jqcbyYqyGLP7/s1600-h/P2130392.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ct="true" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-80OHvXQGE1DdZORVySqj0_HadMfaBn4HnM2gDKMA-8ZNuSNzrGSIcS50T5sFaJhpiVezrxHjFon2C7x8uxYjn9LBn5SI-lVC2fgLNT8JdwYbLBNtyu1GzWQsEZWAL6n8jqcbyYqyGLP7/s200/P2130392.JPG" width="200" /></a> The Royal Canadian Mounted Police have a station here. There is a heated area that was generously donated for the mushers to use as a drying room and also a place to work on the sleds indoors. The Mountie (Dave) was very amenable and engaging and we got to meet his lovely daughter Haley as well. I am still very impressed with the genuine kindnesses and hospitality we have encountered along the trail!</div> We let Katie sleep the other night and tended to the "crew" until almost 3 am and then we bounced out of bed yesterday to get all of our chores done. ( Also, not to miss breakfast served by our afore-mentioned hosts...) Katie and Brooke saw to the team while I spent about four hours at the laundry...lots of dog blankets and coats and harness and musher attire with a few miles on them. Got to meet some interesting local folks there - even made a new friend that I hope to be able to come visit durng the summer months on her 260 acre farm on the "Other side of the Klondike River" - Someday. Thanks for the invite Anja!<br />
We didn't finish the preparations for Katie's departure this morning until well after midnight last night. Then the alarm goes off at 3 am and back to camp we go to get ready to send the team on their way. Katie had hoped to finish the race with the 14 dogs from the start. She made the decision to leave two of them with us - Boggle and Miss Cleo. That's okay. It is hard for the mushers to drop dogs - but they do it for the benefit of the individuals as well as the rest of the team. It sometimes has an adverse effect on the others when one dog cannot perform optimally. If the musher has any question it is better to make the decision at the checkpoint rather than out on the trail before the question becomes a problem.<br />
So the vets checked Cleo out at 5:15 this morning and then the girls 'bootied up' the team. We followed that by hitching up the pairs to the gangline on the sled and just after 6 am they were off!!! Brooke and I were actually able to see part of the trail this morning. We stood on the ice bridge where the trail crossed and watched them glide on their way down river. It is surreal. The northern lights were glowing overhead and across the tops of the mountains and the team is so smooth. There is a hush and you can hear them puffing and Katie calling out directions. Then we follow the glow of the headlamp until it is out of sight.<br />
Five hundred miles down - (+-) five hundred to go!!! <br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwsrOwuBCThLZClfbK2ioxKzTGnlkjuBzObpUe7yXtYyND8RdfC34fgdqsmUcpGexf828SvCoMFLnpU8aIqUupaEZbSlQj_Qz6hoVZO61OchegohTXXZnzmtcMLNaxa-wocMp6eBOPeMdx/s1600-h/P2130419.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ct="true" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwsrOwuBCThLZClfbK2ioxKzTGnlkjuBzObpUe7yXtYyND8RdfC34fgdqsmUcpGexf828SvCoMFLnpU8aIqUupaEZbSlQj_Qz6hoVZO61OchegohTXXZnzmtcMLNaxa-wocMp6eBOPeMdx/s400/P2130419.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Notice how loaded Katie's sled is, she has everything she needs for her and the dogs for the next 200 miles of trail. She will resupply at Pelly Crossing. </div>Evening Star Kennelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14560149330953536809noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7450818453489802943.post-13352902613553625822010-02-12T21:08:00.000-08:002010-02-13T10:54:32.151-08:00THEY'RE HERE - THEY'RE HERE- THEY'RE HERE<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> So, just after the last post I headed outside to scout out the route Katie and the team would have to take from the check-in on the road back down to the river crossing to the camp ground...then I checked in with the officials to see if they had any folks down river to call in when teams were approaching. The answer was that they would step out periodically and look. Okay, I can do that!</div></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv-BbGqPMVirqzh2G7vqXC1C0a5ZYPEeHrIoSMla4o0WYoecqdChBOkGOpKNh3xIv0c8c_QWHQkfrrdiFwdH_GpxDEly4242eKp8_DP_Pvsmc43TdyvnGVPYv4cUs4naNnl2Cqjj3EhThz/s1600-h/P2120385.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ct="true" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv-BbGqPMVirqzh2G7vqXC1C0a5ZYPEeHrIoSMla4o0WYoecqdChBOkGOpKNh3xIv0c8c_QWHQkfrrdiFwdH_GpxDEly4242eKp8_DP_Pvsmc43TdyvnGVPYv4cUs4naNnl2Cqjj3EhThz/s400/P2120385.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> Just before 5 pm I can see a little spot on the white ice field. Just near the spruce grove that goes right down to the rivers edge - and yes! It is moving! It's the TEAM. Finally. Brooke is so prepared. She had me drop her off at the camp around 4 pm to get the water heating so the dogs can have warm soaked kibble on arrival...</div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Bz9k0YJon43ShMKbAv4sQ8FhHXr-3QgqRgYVUr9v3O9_IxremypxKqls-MHseZFZn3vJc_uWp7Y1efVtUsFHDv_wSc-DVkTHpJfXh8Ei5Ww5n41V6yhobzHpq75gFtLUJtfaRaAJ8MQR/s1600-h/P2130388.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ct="true" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Bz9k0YJon43ShMKbAv4sQ8FhHXr-3QgqRgYVUr9v3O9_IxremypxKqls-MHseZFZn3vJc_uWp7Y1efVtUsFHDv_wSc-DVkTHpJfXh8Ei5Ww5n41V6yhobzHpq75gFtLUJtfaRaAJ8MQR/s200/P2130388.JPG" width="200" /></a> A stop at the gate on the street - a tow to the ramp and there they go across the ice again. Finally to camp, icy booties off, good warm dinner, pull blankets and harness, vet check (each dog was handled thoroughly and kindly) lead into our wonderfully crafted shelter ;) bedded down for the night...(Brooke and I will go back later and walk, massage and feed again) then load all the stuff, then drop some off at the RCMP garage drying station. Now, Katie has had a wonderful hot shower and we need to feed her. Hey we get to eat too! Bonus. Later!</div>Evening Star Kennelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14560149330953536809noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7450818453489802943.post-24104947226993427782010-02-12T15:50:00.000-08:002010-02-13T10:47:20.093-08:00Dawson City Checkpoint - waiting...<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAFUkcVvCk8OepdQSTsC2xsdFDotAqVeVqy5a4icb-hIUKFCk1n5dZCHJzu8ABrf3Oa198c2HIfBLKriqlfhyphenhyphenXJF137k-vP24kiw-wd2zI-jAfGILT-TPMvzttHREMBJUS99i3q7VVmcet/s1600-h/P2100313.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" ct="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAFUkcVvCk8OepdQSTsC2xsdFDotAqVeVqy5a4icb-hIUKFCk1n5dZCHJzu8ABrf3Oa198c2HIfBLKriqlfhyphenhyphenXJF137k-vP24kiw-wd2zI-jAfGILT-TPMvzttHREMBJUS99i3q7VVmcet/s320/P2100313.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> Good day from this picturesque, historic goldmining village on the banks of the Yukon River! We are still waiting and following Katie's progress via the live tracking feature. This creates alot of speculation as to how fast she may be travelling and when we should expect her to arrive...at this point we think it may be as soon as 5:30 this afternoon, maybe sooner we shall see. Bart De Marie just arrived a short time ago and as I am posting this Peter Fleck just pulled in to the check. Live tracker says she is 20 miles out.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> This is the fun part- the waiting, the anticipation! The live tracking has been wonderful, but it is not exact and still leaves room for error. We want to be on standby to provide the optimal assistance for the team. It looks as if we won't be sitting around camp or the check in the dark as she is making a really good run today. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> I was trying to post some handler stories earlier today and the page on the computer I was using at the B&B shut down without saving. (Crap!) So let me try again.</div> Since the start of the race the pace of the mushers has sorted itself out. The front half is comprised of alot of veterans and very competetive teams setting a burning pace. If you have been following you have seen that they have broken some records this year. There is a middle group that is a day (give or take) behind the front runners and then another group running about the same rate together. As a result we often find ourselves with the same group of handlers at the check points. You get to know these folks pretty well. Everyone is so nice, and from such diverse realms with one common denominator - the mushing. The dogs. The sport. I don't want to single anyone out because I don't want to overlook anyone - certainly don't want to do any name dropping. For example: Alex handling for Dave Dalton or Megan and Jenn with Terry Williams or Darryl travelling with Cindy Barrand...Brooke and I have had the pleasure of spending time with Stefaan De Marie, brother of Bart and their friend/handler Marc. The De Marie brothers are from Saskatchewan where they have a kennel. They are from Belgium originally; as is Marc - he is here for six months to assist with the kennels, run dogs and help with the races. I believe Stefaan told me that he and his brother alternate on the training and racing of their teams.<br />
We arrived in Dawson about 7:30 on Wednesday evening. We immediately checked in and arranged to pick up Katie's supplies that had been trucked in. There were nine check bags and five bales of straw. We offloaded them from the tractor trailer, went back inside for a moment and then pulled the truck around to pick up. Brooke began arranging our trailer and I dropped dogs for a break. (Remember Detour and Herbert have been travelling with us...) Suddenly a local woman came running up and informed us a large dog had absconded with one of our drop bags! She and Brooke ran around for a bit hoping to locate the thief - but he is a town dog and was not to be found. One happy town dog we imagine. Fortunately, our Katie is very organized and we have a book that lists each bag and it's contents by number. Brooke was able to repack a bag with all of the food that Katie will need on the trail with extra supplies we are carrying. Boy, Brooke was pissed. We didn't expect that.<br />
On a different track, since we were in Fairbanks Brooke has been talking about a bar in Dawson that is very well-known for a special cocktail. The "SourToe". She said we had to go there and join this special club...seems that sometime back in the 70's these folks found a severed frostbitten digit on the floor of a remote cabin and came up with the idea that people would love to pay for the honor of taking a shot of whiskey with the "Toe" floating in it. There is a special ceremony and you have to sign the registry. And if you successfully imbibe your beverage the "Toe" has to touch your lips! This is a real, gnarly, human toe folks - I looked at it! There are more than 40,000 people that are registered.<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJL54ZzAVD1p2jLwh64h-kzVsxKQNUUbCl8P_-up_tVY7ehIzMy7MeHrh6gxIte8YMTjnS187cfBtLGDcqSxB6KA64YR1EunQlkOO5LV8zsbdpfqo529PUclEoGzAAwUHW7jzql9HwOhMG/s1600-h/P2110346.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" ct="true" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJL54ZzAVD1p2jLwh64h-kzVsxKQNUUbCl8P_-up_tVY7ehIzMy7MeHrh6gxIte8YMTjnS187cfBtLGDcqSxB6KA64YR1EunQlkOO5LV8zsbdpfqo529PUclEoGzAAwUHW7jzql9HwOhMG/s200/P2110346.JPG" width="200" /></a> So, last night Brooke and I stopped in for dinner and we were joined by a fellow named Jack from a town way north of here(!) by the name of Old Crow. He was interesting but had been enjoying the bar all day if you know what I mean. After a bit we were also joined by Stefaan and Marc and Darryl. Some hardy souls in the bar took part in the "Society of the Toe" proceedings including Darryl and BROOKE! No, I did not and will not be joining up with this group thank you very much. Way too real for me!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> Somehow we coerced the guys into trying out the locals favorite spot; the Pit. It was fairly quiet - but we had another round and got into a few more stories. Stefaan was telling us about their accomodations in town. The lady of the house is a friend of his sister-in-law or something. She is not here this weekend but they were to make themselves at home as they wished. She did caution that the dog was going to be left inside and Stefaan was a bit worried because they hadn't seen the dog. We were joking around that he shouldn't worry about him going hungry as he was probably the scoundrel that made off with forty pounds of kibble and frozen meat in a drop-bag. We were going over the story again and included the fact that the local lady said; "It's probably So-and-so's dog; he runs around all the time!"</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> The look on Stefaan's face was priceless - it was the owner's dog! Right now I don't know if they have seen him yet. I wouldn't worry too much about him - he is very resourceful!!!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> Okay, the tracker says she is ten miles out on the river now! We can't wait to see her and how they are faring...Bear with us as we will be busy for awhile. We will post photos - this takes some time as electronics are a bit challenging the closer you get to the North Pole!!! Later!!!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQHOAu21eVMIWqmh_lPDhkYpIrGPA8xNjmSd09IQZLoI6K6WJPobWHa5QsTbbgk2uUBpJlrlZqE0fNjK-CgxA_VEF1wOPQHbLLYR4OgV9fW6yU1ClK3gSoqdlMI40kRsvqD_ZscTosmvGU/s1600-h/P2100312.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ct="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQHOAu21eVMIWqmh_lPDhkYpIrGPA8xNjmSd09IQZLoI6K6WJPobWHa5QsTbbgk2uUBpJlrlZqE0fNjK-CgxA_VEF1wOPQHbLLYR4OgV9fW6yU1ClK3gSoqdlMI40kRsvqD_ZscTosmvGU/s320/P2100312.JPG" /></a></div>Evening Star Kennelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14560149330953536809noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7450818453489802943.post-82626454457559045762010-02-11T09:30:00.000-08:002010-02-13T10:41:32.618-08:00yukon quest adventure!<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRXgBsbNfBSoPmql_hyo_sbYUArxOtjU8N7SoZ9Hg5QALPUTv0GJDNwBJg9aBADrIJfTDcVkkP0irLkIu-0_br-LzW0EWJjEeJgnPur0Fqtec0nJk-l62R3RRYdsjMOANkSn5LFlkq5zKE/s1600-h/P2100287.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ct="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRXgBsbNfBSoPmql_hyo_sbYUArxOtjU8N7SoZ9Hg5QALPUTv0GJDNwBJg9aBADrIJfTDcVkkP0irLkIu-0_br-LzW0EWJjEeJgnPur0Fqtec0nJk-l62R3RRYdsjMOANkSn5LFlkq5zKE/s320/P2100287.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> It looks to be another gorgeous day in the Klondike...We (Brooke and I) are currently in Dawson City in a beautiful bed and breakfast enjoying hot coffee, equally hot showers and a wonderful warm bed. I have to say though it has not been too rough sleeping in the truck as Katie prepared it with comfort in mind. She travelled solo with the sixteen dogs over 2300 miles and it was their rolling hotel the entire trip... </div> The hospitality we are experiencing along our journey is unbelievable. These folks at the checkpoints and in the towns along the trail are fantastic and so enthusiastic. The community of mushers is also very impressive. It is truly an international event as the musher profiles illustrate. All the handlers and other support staff are interesting and engaging and it is my good fortune to be a part of this.<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> The Alcan highway lives up to its reputation. It was quite a haul from Circle around to Destruction Bay (first leg) and then on Wednesday we arrived here in Dawson about 7:30 pm. Brooke has done most of the driving...I may have lost points on my driving abilities because of a 'minor' mishap on the Alcan...I lost the right hand trailer tire. Completely. Flattened the rim. We pulled into the closed gas station/hotel parking lot and assessed the situation - suddenly two other dog trucks whipped in...three wonderful men jumped out finished jacking the trailer, changed the tire (laughed alot) dropped the trailer off the jack like a NASCAR pit crew! Then they were gone- trucking on down the highway! Bonus! Thanks Clinton and friends!!!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> Now. About Katie and the race! The team left Circle at 1:35 am Tuesday morning. They arrived at their next rest at Slaven's cabin at 10:18 am. From there they headed out at 8:15 pm. The website indicates the arrival at the Eagle checkpiont was just before 5 pm on Wednesday. We were following the race on the radio about this time and heard that Hans Gatt was on the river close to Dawson City...His was the first team to arrive at 6:02 pm Wednesday and they will receive 4 ounces of gold for this feat. While we were picking up Katie's supplies for the next HALF of the race, I saw Lance Mackey arrive at 8:49 pm and also had the luck to see the third team to arrive - Hugh Neff at 9:04 pm. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> We at this point are following Katie through the live tracking on the website. We have a greater responsibility here...this is the only point in the race that we can provide hands on support. It is not allowed at any other time. We will set up the camp and have warm water going and enable Katie and her team to rest as completely and comfortably and quickly as possible. This is a mandatory reststop of 36 hours for all teams.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjge2W7l_Az3INERBmvCsQ36jZjvA6tkO6Ru7e1Xe_XN9sti5KfuGiaMkBeW-KHmNnWkDvtTbHSdJLiLhadElaEZE5EHSGYEyPAZr8e_DmIGtSmYLkVe_pMCHzgog4Ypl_decluF9BTPsY1/s1600-h/P2100296.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" ct="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjge2W7l_Az3INERBmvCsQ36jZjvA6tkO6Ru7e1Xe_XN9sti5KfuGiaMkBeW-KHmNnWkDvtTbHSdJLiLhadElaEZE5EHSGYEyPAZr8e_DmIGtSmYLkVe_pMCHzgog4Ypl_decluF9BTPsY1/s320/P2100296.JPG" /></a> We see that Katie left Eagle at 4:11 this (Thursday) morning. Two other teams/handlers that we have been enjoying time with: that of Bart De Marie left Eagle at 1:18 am and the young Brit; Peter Fleck followed Katie by a few minutes at 4:14 am. We expect our team to arrive late this evening - maybe early Friday morning...it just depends on the conditions and how Katie feels the dogs are handling them. </div> Sometimes this is very challenging for us - we have an idea of her run/rest schedule, sometimes she may be three hours ahead of her plan or maybe six hours behind...Ah! That's racing, just gotta be able to roll with it! As we are internet connected for the next few days we will try to update a bit more often...Later!Evening Star Kennelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14560149330953536809noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7450818453489802943.post-2864151802814020652010-02-08T21:10:00.000-08:002010-02-13T10:34:52.496-08:00Circle City - fourth checkpoint<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLGlGIqz73hB_ZZ3KnFp3vV7PTg7FzyoLixv8rFr0FXw2SniMLIBjpHQcatsEH0jDur-ux2J3vzWQwR8v2VxWxjlEyO_xFMHFACVBpvibkoS22qhNv1vTqMhoHDXk2jpmeovi7ZEspguMx/s1600-h/P2080237.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ct="true" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLGlGIqz73hB_ZZ3KnFp3vV7PTg7FzyoLixv8rFr0FXw2SniMLIBjpHQcatsEH0jDur-ux2J3vzWQwR8v2VxWxjlEyO_xFMHFACVBpvibkoS22qhNv1vTqMhoHDXk2jpmeovi7ZEspguMx/s200/P2080237.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>Katie surprised us and arrived a few minutes after 3p.m. (Monday). She said the trail from Central to Circle was "boring". This is a good thing, it means that the trail was smooth going and the team was traveling well. She decided not to stop and rest on the trail but rather keep moving and take one longer rest here in Circle City. She is currently sleeping after eating a large plate of Turkey dinner, chocolate cake and three chocolate chip cookies. She is a good sled dog - eating, drinking and sleeping as much as she can. The mushers provide better care for the dog such as nice shoulder, wrist and foot messages and lots of hand on contact. If only the dogs could give Katie the same treatments. However, Katie knows that if she takes the best possible care of the dogs they will in turn take care of her on the trail. She will have to wait till she gets home to get a message. Maybe she will get one in Dawson.</div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6QROfeKf8QGAfckYZyOzDOkmZhCQ9_iA2wPjEEoBAsN8eRZ25H9RBjb8-jiWMjY5UYvPoORz4aRoc491vHEzBccz9IzMwUIdOr4c_I03lcXCAdChUEjEE3bDFF3MnjjfTB0Vj91z0mdL_/s1600-h/P2080240.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ct="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6QROfeKf8QGAfckYZyOzDOkmZhCQ9_iA2wPjEEoBAsN8eRZ25H9RBjb8-jiWMjY5UYvPoORz4aRoc491vHEzBccz9IzMwUIdOr4c_I03lcXCAdChUEjEE3bDFF3MnjjfTB0Vj91z0mdL_/s320/P2080240.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">From Circle Katie heads out to Eagle 158 miles of trail . She will make the trip in three runs. From Cirlce she will run 68 miles to Slavin's Cabin. From Slavin's cabin she will break the run up into two more legs. Resting/camping on the trail. In Eagle, a remote checkpoint that we cannot access, she will have access to her drop bags. Drop bags are bags that Katie packed before the race and are shipped out to every checkpoint. They contain all the necessary food and equipment that she and the dogs need for that checkpoint and for the section of trail from there to the next checkpoint. From Eagle Katie will head to Dawson City 150 miles down the trail. This is where we will see her again. She intends on arrive sometime Thursday, probably later in the day to evening.</div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4JtD3W-9POJA2qOTf5ONvE_iqJZdYzoHhHHQxxZ-tMeByqy2wON1hAhj6W_61yhcOnYRYb8BRJiOytnPBDZUq8X9HE0NbtFE9-r4vslB3_lfFbIHgGsRNds0sPQMq4BaxluXCbSpCPX3Y/s1600-h/P2090245.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" ct="true" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4JtD3W-9POJA2qOTf5ONvE_iqJZdYzoHhHHQxxZ-tMeByqy2wON1hAhj6W_61yhcOnYRYb8BRJiOytnPBDZUq8X9HE0NbtFE9-r4vslB3_lfFbIHgGsRNds0sPQMq4BaxluXCbSpCPX3Y/s200/P2090245.JPG" width="200" /></a>Handler update - Clear skies, temperatures dropping to around -15'F tongiht. Once Katie leaves Cirlce City, ETD 11:30p.m. Monday, Anita and I will curl up in the truck and sleep till morning (5ish) and clean up Katie's parking area. This includes racking up the straw the dogs were bedded down on and hauling it away. We also collect any extra supplies she left behind. Then we will be heading back to Fairbanks to pick up the trailer. Fuel up and head out for Dawson City, Yukon, Canada. From Circle City (for the record this is not a city rather a very small town) to Dawson City it is about 1,100 miles of driving. It looks like we will be traveling with a few other handlers. Having said this it maybe a few days before we update the blog again. </div></div>Evening Star Kennelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14560149330953536809noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7450818453489802943.post-70902850243437622712010-02-08T13:20:00.000-08:002010-02-08T13:20:07.055-08:00Central update<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvTITy9MPmixCiiQaIj5Vz1m11-a4mPzJcnawqMVmA5s1IpSR3xkXBohyphenhyphenqLUho5o02j9vScfkdRXdyT8pb4OMJAbrbtQZlANQHBn2-q5b3Z1pFGXixYZIlSPjsqx5a-15lqQOTlmZEe_8r/s1600-h/P2060167.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvTITy9MPmixCiiQaIj5Vz1m11-a4mPzJcnawqMVmA5s1IpSR3xkXBohyphenhyphenqLUho5o02j9vScfkdRXdyT8pb4OMJAbrbtQZlANQHBn2-q5b3Z1pFGXixYZIlSPjsqx5a-15lqQOTlmZEe_8r/s320/P2060167.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Katie arrived around 8:30p.m. Sunday. Her trail report was that Eagle Summit was not as bad as she had anticipated. She actually said that Rose Bud was worse. She finished her work with her dogs around 9:30p.m. and came into the Steese Road House for a Prime Rib dinner. We ate together and then she went to a warm cabin to sleep for about five hours. I went to join Annita in the truck to sleep. We woke around 4:30a.m. Monday and found Katie getting ready. She was eating cheesecake and pumpkin pie with a cup of hot chocolate for breakfast. Once she was finished her meal she went to bootie the dogs and get them ready to run.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The dogs were bedded down on straw in groups of four. I watched Katie work with each dog. She put booties on all four feet while they were still laying down taking advantage of every minute of rest possible. Once all booties were on she moved Shilo out of lead and put Sneezy up front with Whitney. Katie walked down the line back to her sled patting all the dogs on their heads. Lighting was the first to start screaming to go and the enthusiasum spread to the rest of the dogs. Katie got back to her runners pulled the hook and I helped lead her team out of their parking spot to the trail. Once to the trail I stepped a side and watched as Katie and her fourteen furry friends disappear down the dark trail. She left the checkpoint at 6:30a.m. Monday.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiis-zEZHw737DU_YFELX5buJ-qgFflgg4EecMA15tByKJeoKBebkR9osnpk4AdUkHjF04aPpgQPmJqUcDmBN1cOhXKVOebDbyQvwkWgSpcJzCj1cpn7FGe_SQLsSD-JeMDFPhuZi1NUEAy/s1600-h/P2070203.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiis-zEZHw737DU_YFELX5buJ-qgFflgg4EecMA15tByKJeoKBebkR9osnpk4AdUkHjF04aPpgQPmJqUcDmBN1cOhXKVOebDbyQvwkWgSpcJzCj1cpn7FGe_SQLsSD-JeMDFPhuZi1NUEAy/s320/P2070203.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Now we are at the Circle City checkpoint. Temperatures are favorable, there is a light snow and now we wait for Katie. She should be in around 6p.m. or so. </div>Evening Star Kennelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14560149330953536809noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7450818453489802943.post-44642485271037202812010-02-07T19:55:00.000-08:002010-02-08T13:23:40.232-08:00Day 2 Mile 101 and Central<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmpRL9uumaZgSaWdGAzm50v1aKGddkXQY3JQCGiPA0-29kqKqmITwWWhlGHbb1hc_bsZw_XR9AkkHGHfhzvRdyWFwCubPlsF5R2C_1mvvJ2qcOYmI9lN0QPq7XijcXZolv9q5owHxnqSB7/s1600-h/P2070176.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmpRL9uumaZgSaWdGAzm50v1aKGddkXQY3JQCGiPA0-29kqKqmITwWWhlGHbb1hc_bsZw_XR9AkkHGHfhzvRdyWFwCubPlsF5R2C_1mvvJ2qcOYmI9lN0QPq7XijcXZolv9q5owHxnqSB7/s320/P2070176.JPG" /></a></div>Today Katie arrived into the second checkpoint, mile 101 a little before one in the afternoon. This is about 130 miles into the race. She stayed for a few hours and left with a happy team and two other mushers to head out and over Eagle Summit. She is doing well and should be arriving at Central soon. She will rest here for about 8 or 10 hours. This checkpoint is nice it is at a road house. There is a dryer, food and warm buildings for her to rest. <br />
<br />
Anita and I are doing great, the roads have been just fine and temps in the teens. It is suppose to cool down to subzero tonight. Signing out to go and see if Katie has arrived.Evening Star Kennelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14560149330953536809noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7450818453489802943.post-62747541772781546572010-02-07T00:01:00.000-08:002010-02-07T00:22:49.834-08:00Greetings from Yukon Quest - day one<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjnykhTcsiqUrbcVBGs-qrHJXOwCq6WO5zm_AhmLcydnziPZJeXylYnSBERAjI7FBxSn2sYh82Q_32tkDJoI1Lsf1wLhSxatkp7i11eBwBoVajT5mLWTZlpk3OBuw0lUv-WNSABBWejVI7/s1600-h/P2060100.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjnykhTcsiqUrbcVBGs-qrHJXOwCq6WO5zm_AhmLcydnziPZJeXylYnSBERAjI7FBxSn2sYh82Q_32tkDJoI1Lsf1wLhSxatkp7i11eBwBoVajT5mLWTZlpk3OBuw0lUv-WNSABBWejVI7/s320/P2060100.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Well, today was the big day...the one Katie has been planning for since last year. It's really hard to fathom the logistics to pull it all together. And so rewarding to see it come to fruition.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Brooke and I dropped dogs this morning (took them out of their boxes on the truck) and prepared their breakfast, according to Katie's schedule for the day. Some of the dogs were playful and bouncy, others just ready to eat...Sneezy was quiet and watchful. Not so unusual maybe- but then he started growling and staring across the hotel parking lot. After a moment a MOOSE strolled into view! It moseyed around the building across the way and then came toward the team! Fortunately it was not at all interested in sixteen barking dogs. It just browsed on a tree nearby and then cruised on along behind the local Denny's restaurant. Just like "Northern Exposure"!!! Hopefully this will be the only moose encounter Katie and the team will have on their journey...</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw1tJZagoo_sXxjBOlpnBhoX-93QagGYVQl1vsCFhaAhd7yh59LoJ_v6Kjtf0BZbSropCv-9AhDdLpXGYtZYOxcybQvcHL_T2Lg_KWVZ06GpDaYxeI0aZ2EFBS65qOmiR54Ty6pSN4wk_f/s1600-h/P2060118.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw1tJZagoo_sXxjBOlpnBhoX-93QagGYVQl1vsCFhaAhd7yh59LoJ_v6Kjtf0BZbSropCv-9AhDdLpXGYtZYOxcybQvcHL_T2Lg_KWVZ06GpDaYxeI0aZ2EFBS65qOmiR54Ty6pSN4wk_f/s200/P2060118.JPG" width="200" /></a>Our morning flowed without furthur distraction and we soon found ourselves in the proper parking area. Finally it was time to line out the team. Katie and Brooke had fitted everyone with booties, 'harness-rub' jackets and harnesses. They led the dogs forward and hooked them up as follows: leaders for the first leg:</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Shiloh (Veteran of the Iditarod) and Margaret. The next couple on the line: Cleo and Goon. Sneezy was paired with Whitney, Lightning and Annabelle, Voodoo and Margarita, Etna and Charlotte, followed by Boggle and Patron in the wheel position at the sled. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">They use a snow machine to keep the pace under control as the team has to negotiate a very crowded parking area of trucks, trailers and other lined out dog teams. It might be a very hairy trip down the icy ramp to the river if that snow machine wasn't behind the sled to hold it back. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Brooke was at the front of the team and had to jog along the entire quarter mile frozen river to the start!! I had the good fortune to quickly jump on the back of the snow machine and ride to the start once we were down the ramp.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjC9PM7lWVHXZ47drpj6KG6UcsvSUhC_eKPVMdPzO5BfTXngfjEvvIXrUjMGWVdM2DRrnb2LUtcbQJlPwDVamXrNSbns6B2OZ6budXUnSw4KVrGT7RIJe5Vcl_DJ1bQ7PnUwzcPmmMMG_F/s1600-h/P2060122.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjC9PM7lWVHXZ47drpj6KG6UcsvSUhC_eKPVMdPzO5BfTXngfjEvvIXrUjMGWVdM2DRrnb2LUtcbQJlPwDVamXrNSbns6B2OZ6budXUnSw4KVrGT7RIJe5Vcl_DJ1bQ7PnUwzcPmmMMG_F/s200/P2060122.JPG" width="200" /></a>The start was very well organized - teams were led to the staging area and ALOT of volunteers helped to keep them under control...these are very well-behaved animals. But, they are bred and trained to RUN and are enthusiastic about it. Teams started every three minutes. This allows for the musher's bio and history to be announced (and the wonderful sponsors). There are alot of veteran racers and quite an impressive following - lots of appreciative fans.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Katie's team looked so good! Bright and alert and pounding the harness - ready to go at her word...then the countdown and they were off! I can only imagine how it must feel for Katie to realize the payoff for all her hard work and preparation - the payoff is the time on the trail...the beautiful scenery, the connection to the team...the quiet after the hullabaloo...the total dependency between musher and dogs...the total independance of the team...musher and dogs! Amazing. </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhru9PciN-3AwvkOM9lvMpB-mdMGCXpchzrhHyO5C3g4kkU6uPw5A1w8yKoM_83R06iQi8BdVbvbEAxIajjzkFz_xNVEjy68RX5stWBq2yJ8PTef9R_AL4Ef8M9Bh20ZUTQJwwWUYSqhQ8s/s1600-h/P2060123.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhru9PciN-3AwvkOM9lvMpB-mdMGCXpchzrhHyO5C3g4kkU6uPw5A1w8yKoM_83R06iQi8BdVbvbEAxIajjzkFz_xNVEjy68RX5stWBq2yJ8PTef9R_AL4Ef8M9Bh20ZUTQJwwWUYSqhQ8s/s320/P2060123.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<br />
Katie made it into Twin Bear checkpoint by 4p.m. Alaska time. She reported that the trail was fast, hard and lacking snow. She stayed at the checkpoint for about 3 3/4 hours leaving at 7:45p.m. We all watched as she hit the dark trail and headed into the night. Katie is headed to the second checkpoint, Mile 101 on the Steese Highway. She will break the run up into two runs. She will camp out with the dogs on the trail for about six hours near the base of Rose Bud. Rose Bud is a rather steep mountain climb. Today people where talking about it and how it just keeps going up and up. After Katie rest her team and herself they will start climbing Rose Bud in the early hours of the morning. I bet the view from the top will be beautiful. We will meet her at the Mile 101 check point.<br />
<br />
Weather update: today was in the teens pushing 20'F! It felt like a heat wave. The sunrises around 9a.m. and sets around 5p.m. so it really is not that dark.Evening Star Kennelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14560149330953536809noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7450818453489802943.post-61385844467368273642010-02-06T01:53:00.000-08:002010-02-06T01:54:28.996-08:00Team Roster<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So it's official. I have my 14 dogs picked and there will be 4 yearlings on the team. We will have to slow down a little from my original plan but should still have a good run and a strong finish. Everyone is ready to do something and get going on the trail. We start at 11:15 Alaska time on Saturday 2/6/10. I will be carrying a SPOT GPS tracker that you can follow on the Yukon Quest website and linked at the top of the blog page. I hope to finish in the 12-13 day range. Today was a balmy -5 degrees which is a HUGE improvement over the -30 we have been sufferening. It will be colder out on the trail, especially on the first half of the race. I have good gear and will stay warm enough.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I want to say a special thank you to everyone who has contributed to make this possible. Whether you contributed money, time, labor, hospitality, moral support, a much appeciated phone message, I thank you for your support. It has meant so much to me to have so many people rally around me and help me work towards my goal of completing the 2010 Yukon Quest. I am sure there will be many stories to tell when all is said and done and Brooke and Anita will share stories along the way of my and their adventures.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So here is the team:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Sneezy <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2UZ7mAsYl1KAqf6H4iFXWn3_Kns_B_Pan3ugTCV0IPcrymh_3nGypDRjSyLtu7FPBryBqw65illBGt25GMKynjAX_Z9C4jae2qyM7r0t7dyzgEn6H5OROHjI06wIFjPKKhU18RRJF-4fj/s1600-h/P2030002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2UZ7mAsYl1KAqf6H4iFXWn3_Kns_B_Pan3ugTCV0IPcrymh_3nGypDRjSyLtu7FPBryBqw65illBGt25GMKynjAX_Z9C4jae2qyM7r0t7dyzgEn6H5OROHjI06wIFjPKKhU18RRJF-4fj/s200/P2030002.JPG" width="200" /></a>Annabel<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq9HU_f24W6480NauTy0W2sG-2Dm4jWL63XGfdfyO7qIAFmw-IRkJJUu9IGp2byBioycY0KsX0WUcS2bKNxOb0K4XA6ezVNfnhCddkBb8v1iqJg9x75LAugtsJ5AdKg8WOvtowMYW_oA34/s1600-h/DSCN1180.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq9HU_f24W6480NauTy0W2sG-2Dm4jWL63XGfdfyO7qIAFmw-IRkJJUu9IGp2byBioycY0KsX0WUcS2bKNxOb0K4XA6ezVNfnhCddkBb8v1iqJg9x75LAugtsJ5AdKg8WOvtowMYW_oA34/s200/DSCN1180.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3ojL1m_fRVdwCDuZiO_5BkdZr6NsUrrHhqaLC116TR7CLT2aCw9PSOXk7lnK3Q9hGlRZSW6QuIEach08hPtzXWfOpkWf_wMVKeAyRYJ8lRPYsUh0wfEJx2XMJAQH4_PVNdNPuliIgYeMa/s1600-h/DSCN1142.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3ojL1m_fRVdwCDuZiO_5BkdZr6NsUrrHhqaLC116TR7CLT2aCw9PSOXk7lnK3Q9hGlRZSW6QuIEach08hPtzXWfOpkWf_wMVKeAyRYJ8lRPYsUh0wfEJx2XMJAQH4_PVNdNPuliIgYeMa/s200/DSCN1142.JPG" width="200" /></a>Boggle<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdXZWDFZPDnCfSitm7y5JL59V-10k4stF0iCjRPblmqJ50UBl9j8XpVVWe24glPljYXytuOOJ5hVZFFj-wfVfkfmmABS-JsiqdXAmxD6A5j8gaogFJAHofSxZ8aK0LSHAnBabraS2daPko/s1600-h/DSCN0797.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdXZWDFZPDnCfSitm7y5JL59V-10k4stF0iCjRPblmqJ50UBl9j8XpVVWe24glPljYXytuOOJ5hVZFFj-wfVfkfmmABS-JsiqdXAmxD6A5j8gaogFJAHofSxZ8aK0LSHAnBabraS2daPko/s200/DSCN0797.JPG" width="200" /></a>Charlotte</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjczV2ji_46NysngD9cK5B8Os4aeFSp1gu4j1B4AfT2ah8iMyx2lBShedjO5ynVAZPrDJVm-sevaEtN0awx7whyLfrtyj1vBQa5fZzHr6e9amX3CweRxhFELrkfs9nOoiEWgJ0OC_Q_bZ97/s1600-h/DSCN1146.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black;">Etna</span><img border="0" height="150" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjczV2ji_46NysngD9cK5B8Os4aeFSp1gu4j1B4AfT2ah8iMyx2lBShedjO5ynVAZPrDJVm-sevaEtN0awx7whyLfrtyj1vBQa5fZzHr6e9amX3CweRxhFELrkfs9nOoiEWgJ0OC_Q_bZ97/s200/DSCN1146.JPG" width="200" /></a>Goon<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5PH5IKxqXZm6WAf9JuVjuJyUXhy_9oL6exs9Z7Wk9Z0MRP9FAhqRdOVi2iDp6e5PbrpFqbJ7bdQ0d2AVRWoLlgbF-KhyphenhyphenAkqgzkBA-ZvbQUV9Ktkf8TIXVZdAXt4nz5q_bjGmHwZZoKW6U/s1600-h/DSCN1181.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5PH5IKxqXZm6WAf9JuVjuJyUXhy_9oL6exs9Z7Wk9Z0MRP9FAhqRdOVi2iDp6e5PbrpFqbJ7bdQ0d2AVRWoLlgbF-KhyphenhyphenAkqgzkBA-ZvbQUV9Ktkf8TIXVZdAXt4nz5q_bjGmHwZZoKW6U/s200/DSCN1181.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh23h5xZe5iM5BcnuWXlcWbVDuutoBJ8yaf4Ygwbx1O-698F4kxS_TUjMLAq7wUl3t1XCv7OKk1e_HMv7FFG3dMYDVCxjHOlAaa4CFqypZ7Zu_F2JIVczh3OeoysbTye2uUmhw22uwDhMg/s1600-h/DSCN1172.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh23h5xZe5iM5BcnuWXlcWbVDuutoBJ8yaf4Ygwbx1O-698F4kxS_TUjMLAq7wUl3t1XCv7OKk1e_HMv7FFG3dMYDVCxjHOlAaa4CFqypZ7Zu_F2JIVczh3OeoysbTye2uUmhw22uwDhMg/s200/DSCN1172.JPG" width="200" /></a>Margaret<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFaOMts4pXoFfv18UES9PGGZStSeRdGimIiburBsnBOGWdBr_9kHu0NuTLYF6wfU-swbJn3-ozNK0RTeNM-Sn1xKDenpz6MI0gE4BQ4-rGLOpqUIDh7EqPcmTuwYiLNbgE-gspD-lgiCh-/s1600-h/DSCN1128.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFaOMts4pXoFfv18UES9PGGZStSeRdGimIiburBsnBOGWdBr_9kHu0NuTLYF6wfU-swbJn3-ozNK0RTeNM-Sn1xKDenpz6MI0gE4BQ4-rGLOpqUIDh7EqPcmTuwYiLNbgE-gspD-lgiCh-/s200/DSCN1128.JPG" width="200" /></a>Margarita</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Miss Cleo<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgukXzxBCZewLtwegifpw-wIxAXqeqSPlZqXJO84Xxr_ZAcRaaaJ4sCP2i2dzP64Sic4i4agXg6B1_qmjugMYbigspDko-a1vjj7svRP2d-ixXuUg7v2VcwYbnGH79LMd15QQZ7ssww7KAr/s1600-h/DSCN1159.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgukXzxBCZewLtwegifpw-wIxAXqeqSPlZqXJO84Xxr_ZAcRaaaJ4sCP2i2dzP64Sic4i4agXg6B1_qmjugMYbigspDko-a1vjj7svRP2d-ixXuUg7v2VcwYbnGH79LMd15QQZ7ssww7KAr/s200/DSCN1159.JPG" width="200" /></a>Patron<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB1oAZvUBpCZquAe4N0AYw1GInK0_xBXvp1DguTXslPQxA6_CXE8nJlsMFIDlYqLOsH5aj8F4A2T0V7iX06wi82we-nEyuug2kxQ8wWSk9_xp7S59qdZpVxHzXCRmrYnjVfjix4Br58zWk/s1600-h/DSCN1120.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB1oAZvUBpCZquAe4N0AYw1GInK0_xBXvp1DguTXslPQxA6_CXE8nJlsMFIDlYqLOsH5aj8F4A2T0V7iX06wi82we-nEyuug2kxQ8wWSk9_xp7S59qdZpVxHzXCRmrYnjVfjix4Br58zWk/s200/DSCN1120.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-QhhSljhoF0tOvVTI43Yx5xzYxsO-jVEC2RLVM4FpnRfgZQqvkgrF7FbWavsxSVI7NTHUSH2Ti6o2WvU5zrKb5SzAIDtInHUIQGwgvM5JBjVhGFZtaIBJ7ulqRKn3naTCITY8mNbgA8cX/s1600-h/Shilo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-QhhSljhoF0tOvVTI43Yx5xzYxsO-jVEC2RLVM4FpnRfgZQqvkgrF7FbWavsxSVI7NTHUSH2Ti6o2WvU5zrKb5SzAIDtInHUIQGwgvM5JBjVhGFZtaIBJ7ulqRKn3naTCITY8mNbgA8cX/s200/Shilo.jpg" width="140" /></a>Shilo<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5rfPG9Izcz2URA6ex2ge1Tfej_eBIj-eNJn3vTwJohdxrot-2vzAK75ldw-vbkUMaHUjxAcux1ngB2aElVwETRwi-I_QV8UMsuhPIenqI_BJ-AsvltWExMwDBnQTun9HfucBsTNco0_qI/s1600-h/_9A_0175.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5rfPG9Izcz2URA6ex2ge1Tfej_eBIj-eNJn3vTwJohdxrot-2vzAK75ldw-vbkUMaHUjxAcux1ngB2aElVwETRwi-I_QV8UMsuhPIenqI_BJ-AsvltWExMwDBnQTun9HfucBsTNco0_qI/s200/_9A_0175.jpg" width="200" /></a>Voodoo</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Lightning<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitKTW6yD7T3PooIMMFp3F_lFx_IOxa65vRLaqa36L0Q_1oVApE5Kes8klvi1hmUi9nfuIvf-lKk0DfsjrK95BN5bI_cNoNcYeTollfez3CXH0VqaQYpl6MuBTWO_lNBcZbp_PAghAluj6F/s1600-h/DSCN1147.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitKTW6yD7T3PooIMMFp3F_lFx_IOxa65vRLaqa36L0Q_1oVApE5Kes8klvi1hmUi9nfuIvf-lKk0DfsjrK95BN5bI_cNoNcYeTollfez3CXH0VqaQYpl6MuBTWO_lNBcZbp_PAghAluj6F/s200/DSCN1147.JPG" width="200" /></a>Whitney<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTYBdOHE6dYiaEXXKKsVK5cJIZgVpJ88A8HVy9c6BerxDChwmfSTYGGQ8Zd_TmbPHUH_7RqXIdfqH2SsX6kUmCkIc7kvW48AkgHwE0aAX3h3X7DzSGyPOVgskkkkIUOmnhaQrkMsZr_ut5/s1600-h/DSCN1167.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTYBdOHE6dYiaEXXKKsVK5cJIZgVpJ88A8HVy9c6BerxDChwmfSTYGGQ8Zd_TmbPHUH_7RqXIdfqH2SsX6kUmCkIc7kvW48AkgHwE0aAX3h3X7DzSGyPOVgskkkkIUOmnhaQrkMsZr_ut5/s200/DSCN1167.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>Evening Star Kennelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14560149330953536809noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7450818453489802943.post-81416831555408027252010-02-06T00:39:00.000-08:002010-02-06T00:39:10.152-08:00<div style="text-align: center;">Twelve Hours Until Starting Time!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDMZiwTI_IwH6Lb_nrLTCYf_k8YsHW6HIuLWN3qQ8ewhCr0OEXdCKs1u33fJJneZp3pDxW2vF8gFlUt9gX_G5rKpoenyT7DqrpmFC2ASYSwwV5aiOpBbMvvKvUyqawaEJfSAnti6F_kGcg/s1600-h/P2040037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDMZiwTI_IwH6Lb_nrLTCYf_k8YsHW6HIuLWN3qQ8ewhCr0OEXdCKs1u33fJJneZp3pDxW2vF8gFlUt9gX_G5rKpoenyT7DqrpmFC2ASYSwwV5aiOpBbMvvKvUyqawaEJfSAnti6F_kGcg/s320/P2040037.JPG" /></a></div><div align="left" style="text-align: center;">Here we sit (Katie, Anita, Beverly and I) in the hotel room getting the final preparations ready for tomorrow's start. Today we organized the truck and trailer and got all the gear Katie will need for the start ready. We brought the dogs to the race track and let them run around and play. Katie's mom, Beverly, sewed fleece on a harness for Whitney and sewed pockets on a vest for Katie to carry necessary oinments for the dogs. By having the oinments on her body they will stay warm and pliable. We finished the day with a wonderful dinner at Pasta Bella. The dogs are now sleeping till 5:30 a.m. when we will wake them up to have breakfast before they embark on their great adventure.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKViKIlOB1xjMPJtaWAEMV-nP2T8SCBkhlyviXVRYXzrWELU72pEgsBpaMm_YG4vLdR4eeldxeV9p0o4xtkBu9K3iy-81N6GMX_nE2bIpLCypuvVOS2RfmHR0VLy_rMRB-4Wevd_m4PZ5E/s1600-h/P2050059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKViKIlOB1xjMPJtaWAEMV-nP2T8SCBkhlyviXVRYXzrWELU72pEgsBpaMm_YG4vLdR4eeldxeV9p0o4xtkBu9K3iy-81N6GMX_nE2bIpLCypuvVOS2RfmHR0VLy_rMRB-4Wevd_m4PZ5E/s200/P2050059.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>Evening Star Kennelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14560149330953536809noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7450818453489802943.post-42352495993564635272010-02-04T00:15:00.000-08:002010-02-04T00:16:35.927-08:00Musher's Banquet<div class="" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Tonight was the start banquet for the 2010 Yukon Quest in Fairbanks, AK. We got to meet with mushers, officials, volunteers, fans, and sponsors and got a good dinner. I was a good sled dog and ate everything that was available to me. We did the bib draw and I will be starting #6. I am glad to be leaving relatively early though I am glad I did not continue with my streak lasting 3 seasons now of leaving number one. It will be nice to have someone who knows the trail in front of me. Hopefully they go the right way. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>Anita, Brooke, and my mom (Beverly) got here just before midnight last night and it has been nice having the company and extra help. The dogs are ready to hit the trail as am I.<br />
<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyYCZOnsyR8R7nrLrNjhuRuqzv9JZnSoeoA04NTU6zWwkJHtFC-aNWzqnAF3_LoyipsEwsc-6XS7evtj4CYlKlog5LmqJe_CxIt0NVyOYjsPJbQV9sQJi1ZG4Ay9eSfXvxb6bga9Ft48Rq/s1600-h/DSCN1162.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyYCZOnsyR8R7nrLrNjhuRuqzv9JZnSoeoA04NTU6zWwkJHtFC-aNWzqnAF3_LoyipsEwsc-6XS7evtj4CYlKlog5LmqJe_CxIt0NVyOYjsPJbQV9sQJi1ZG4Ay9eSfXvxb6bga9Ft48Rq/s320/DSCN1162.JPG" width="320" /></a>On a sadder note, Detour is not going to be allowed to run. She has a heart murmur of a high enough grade to warrent further testing before releasing her to race. She has never had any issues before and could potentially be tested again next year and have a lesser or no heart murmur. She will stay on the truck with Brooke and Anita and get lots of love and probably be chubby when the rest of us get to Whitehorse to join them at the finish. This leaves a big hole in the team and a hole in my heart, but we will be OK and maybe I will find the next superstar leader on this trip.</div><br />
Tomorrow is meetings most of the day and then Friday is the last day of packing and planning to head out Saturday just before noon. The weather will be cold, though the latest forecast is for a warming trend. Only time will tell.Evening Star Kennelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14560149330953536809noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7450818453489802943.post-55083710817640225272010-01-31T21:48:00.000-08:002010-01-31T21:48:45.932-08:005 days...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx3WQmfxX-XAoC-sAbWTC0xZrATWhAXgbaLhhUnnKpgZe2IDHwJ-lM4N98eaTMb9FK5XHsGjnsQ3Zz5WUyA_HwoDyDOmGKBJvo1sHPdKEBV0ZIAHZyMlI9SWXb5Lhw5TVaI_Z2zOGgRQ6R/s1600-h/DSCN0053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx3WQmfxX-XAoC-sAbWTC0xZrATWhAXgbaLhhUnnKpgZe2IDHwJ-lM4N98eaTMb9FK5XHsGjnsQ3Zz5WUyA_HwoDyDOmGKBJvo1sHPdKEBV0ZIAHZyMlI9SWXb5Lhw5TVaI_Z2zOGgRQ6R/s640/DSCN0053.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Sunset from the Tanana River a couple of days ago. We ran 70 miles and came home under the brightest full moon of 2010. I didn't use my headlamp except in the trees because the moon was so bright, it didn't seem to do anything. The dogs had a great run and finished strong. They picked up the pace as the daylight disappeared and we loped the last several miles. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsCA01j9Dj2MDaOsCcMCmou5C3o_PDEIgtsVyE7652vZ18pnUFj-FIMZj-WMGXcu2kzeNa7_Y2J_R3h2gyYFI8QlHuPm_Y4oAVxq1OcodXuXg4RsjUgeGiZcSPISmpCJb5F5ShiQsLXk2x/s1600-h/DSCN0040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsCA01j9Dj2MDaOsCcMCmou5C3o_PDEIgtsVyE7652vZ18pnUFj-FIMZj-WMGXcu2kzeNa7_Y2J_R3h2gyYFI8QlHuPm_Y4oAVxq1OcodXuXg4RsjUgeGiZcSPISmpCJb5F5ShiQsLXk2x/s200/DSCN0040.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmafq2N28gi8rekweOMlHeKIuVoaYIVTP8rAaiddqjNXOEz4Kj2dR7nbNit_xCZEQHuSoXWHZ7w1AmbHD6vWXwSS267VxX5uM5Ptiojev3VkjmFvHVrDyQ04a2-55cz-muZ9NVvPUYro8d/s1600-h/DSCN0051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmafq2N28gi8rekweOMlHeKIuVoaYIVTP8rAaiddqjNXOEz4Kj2dR7nbNit_xCZEQHuSoXWHZ7w1AmbHD6vWXwSS267VxX5uM5Ptiojev3VkjmFvHVrDyQ04a2-55cz-muZ9NVvPUYro8d/s200/DSCN0051.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhgCR3e0nDKBgvHCSluc4OB_GS6MPnQckJbRiVreZB9MxM5fwRBhnt-hXwj4BDmViXQ0-nhHPBObNymAEL2ECUax9l4w735MPZH_pXJnYqO5kNIseUrQSo8-NXthnNpmNjw_jruPbyA8fy/s1600-h/DSCN0032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhgCR3e0nDKBgvHCSluc4OB_GS6MPnQckJbRiVreZB9MxM5fwRBhnt-hXwj4BDmViXQ0-nhHPBObNymAEL2ECUax9l4w735MPZH_pXJnYqO5kNIseUrQSo8-NXthnNpmNjw_jruPbyA8fy/s200/DSCN0032.JPG" width="150" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Saturday, we had the vet check. I had to pull the truck into a warehouse and we weighed and checked each dog carefully. Patron was the biggest weighing in at just over 62 pounds. Whitney was the smallest at just under 42 pounds. Most of the dogs were between 45-53 pounds. The dogs were a little nervous at being inside a strange place and having to stand on a table for some poking and prodding. Herbert was the most nervous and spent his few minutes on the table with his toes curled around the edge of it and bracing against my stomach to keep him from launching off. Everyone passed with flying colors except Detour. She has a heart murmer, not at all uncommon in sled dogs. But the vets want to do an EKG to be sure that there is not something else there to be concerned about. Hopefully it was nothing to keep her from racing as she is the rising star in the team. Detour is the toughest dog I have ever run and a phenomenal lead dog. We will find out in the next few days.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbkLAj1Rql7NmpO2euOLYgUK3khWgdFxs_rHYyo-rrzoZFQsRKuqafCmTdAoAM4owTetXSxCuoeS3xB0UDYNvccC5a7Sc4PjUju3iaSg4jFsGgc9NNHwLiwHkw3XAKzAtxhOebQdMGvomy/s1600-h/DSCN0600.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbkLAj1Rql7NmpO2euOLYgUK3khWgdFxs_rHYyo-rrzoZFQsRKuqafCmTdAoAM4owTetXSxCuoeS3xB0UDYNvccC5a7Sc4PjUju3iaSg4jFsGgc9NNHwLiwHkw3XAKzAtxhOebQdMGvomy/s200/DSCN0600.JPG" width="200" /></a>Otherwise, all the dogs are happy and healthy. The temperatures are supposed to start dropping this week and be -30 by later in the week. The extended forecast shows below 0 temps for all of the 10 days it shows for the Alaska side of the trail. It looks to be a cold one. Still trying to find the perfect footwear combination.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWNnwo9jFJn4ID96fZLfGOI6vqmsD_XzMJwN7JFdMAx8eG4HOp2AFVRBz-vZZ8p52c_8lHBsjdAp-obarv1P1Jsw4jqhr0ZOXKQYzkokJ1Ik-WX5v_WV48qYa2NhEJ8G1f1-3MvCSomxom/s1600-h/DSCN0039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWNnwo9jFJn4ID96fZLfGOI6vqmsD_XzMJwN7JFdMAx8eG4HOp2AFVRBz-vZZ8p52c_8lHBsjdAp-obarv1P1Jsw4jqhr0ZOXKQYzkokJ1Ik-WX5v_WV48qYa2NhEJ8G1f1-3MvCSomxom/s200/DSCN0039.JPG" width="150" /></a>Brooke, Anita, and my mom all arrive on Tuesday around midnight. It will be nice to have everyone here. Just 5 days until the start and we are pretty much ready to go. I am trying to get a lot of sleep not as I won't be getting much for the next 2 weeks. I feel so lucky that I have not one but 2 great friends and handlers coming to help me. I won't have to worry about the dogs not on the trail and I know that they will handle anything that comes their way. </div>Evening Star Kennelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14560149330953536809noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7450818453489802943.post-64907643699561219122010-01-27T22:51:00.000-08:002010-01-27T22:51:38.535-08:0010 days and counting...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn7GBd7yqCB8rQZUxocBCzJWwXs6L1Mf5wxHWwAMvM53dS5dU6LDsnVi6kJEnxHRR4rGkVCG0exVkFzOU3l-Hh4YsQLT3M-gNSc265oBuRxIaImq-wiCVXdv0TSMEwjdB5PVFUfd1n-aDY/s1600-h/DSCN0006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" mt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn7GBd7yqCB8rQZUxocBCzJWwXs6L1Mf5wxHWwAMvM53dS5dU6LDsnVi6kJEnxHRR4rGkVCG0exVkFzOU3l-Hh4YsQLT3M-gNSc265oBuRxIaImq-wiCVXdv0TSMEwjdB5PVFUfd1n-aDY/s200/DSCN0006.JPG" width="150" /></a><br />
</div>For frostbite prevention, this is about all the skin I will be showing for the nearly 2 weeks that I will be running my 1000 mile journey from Fairbanks to Whitehorse. I had some minor frostbite on my cheeks when I ran Iditarod in 2006 and I can feel it wanting to come back with minimal exposure.<br />
<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAvYkd9pbzbjeIQxh8ZISkRbsDASBKCjAquGMTqtYPLEWowCNfOnuHSZqtX7rL2r5PiiLXtsMQBxa7TuL9X776o1Er8wV3hdmNv9K-Cp_zN-zotvWKo0-fnZWl5xXi9_dKWTU6hwHpcfeI/s1600-h/DSCN0015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" mt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAvYkd9pbzbjeIQxh8ZISkRbsDASBKCjAquGMTqtYPLEWowCNfOnuHSZqtX7rL2r5PiiLXtsMQBxa7TuL9X776o1Er8wV3hdmNv9K-Cp_zN-zotvWKo0-fnZWl5xXi9_dKWTU6hwHpcfeI/s200/DSCN0015.JPG" width="200" /></a>The temperature here has not been so cold as it might be during the race. I has been only down to about -10 or -15 degrees these last couple of days. That is cold enough for me and my dogs to feel it though. I have been wearing all my cold weather gear and have been almost too warm. Except my feet. I have to say, I am hugely disappointed in my Cabela's boots. I am going to have to try to figure out something else in the next couple of days to keep my feet from getting frostbite if it gets colder. I am going to town tomorrow to run errands and am going to look at other options for footwear.<br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb7G5eteWaS15Y1jawcSQFhnsDDpD3mL_1miLmgjqs7xeGA3SDp0KSntkxQxGkIvP75gJNEYPA677NhCef5vycr-fUb17pw6b0dc1PTCzx9ztAMknPpeZ-Yf45yRRGP-a_A9owLz4kGkg6/s1600-h/DSCN0008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" mt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb7G5eteWaS15Y1jawcSQFhnsDDpD3mL_1miLmgjqs7xeGA3SDp0KSntkxQxGkIvP75gJNEYPA677NhCef5vycr-fUb17pw6b0dc1PTCzx9ztAMknPpeZ-Yf45yRRGP-a_A9owLz4kGkg6/s200/DSCN0008.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiclhSWUwwCfRkzoDCXZDYjNt4xlbzjRFF-2F7p6YgOcx80g0cHvvrpmFjoXFhyphenhyphenVqpYNQTn0kXHFAi5vjz_gX6ALIKYrDPmitMgm3xMkd9S9WMa4bBZDSY0qjX9P-luoW9pb96LacA4TfN8/s1600-h/DSCN0010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" mt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiclhSWUwwCfRkzoDCXZDYjNt4xlbzjRFF-2F7p6YgOcx80g0cHvvrpmFjoXFhyphenhyphenVqpYNQTn0kXHFAi5vjz_gX6ALIKYrDPmitMgm3xMkd9S9WMa4bBZDSY0qjX9P-luoW9pb96LacA4TfN8/s200/DSCN0010.JPG" width="200" /></a>We went for another run on the river today. The navigation on the glare ice was not so smooth as it was yesterday. Whitney did not like the ice one bit and we had a bit of a tangle that I could do nothing about as they dragged me toward the shore. I managed to set my snowhook in a small snow drift and untangle the team and get them pointed mostly in the right direction. I will get a few more river runs in before we start on February 6th, so hopefully the leaders will get more comfortable with the ice. <br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpU1LxceR9HccXrQP-gnLeh3aLcobKdcqCx7EmZLwUyki6fTwidO8PKivhrLuO83ThhhnPX7Be6uHcZ4ADK0tq5Gbj9FniS15LgSifav-MS-PhvFJChcN1ouOPVcveJpLPDX9hbe7idiKF/s1600-h/DSCN0017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" mt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpU1LxceR9HccXrQP-gnLeh3aLcobKdcqCx7EmZLwUyki6fTwidO8PKivhrLuO83ThhhnPX7Be6uHcZ4ADK0tq5Gbj9FniS15LgSifav-MS-PhvFJChcN1ouOPVcveJpLPDX9hbe7idiKF/s200/DSCN0017.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5M-r0ATHe6t4XzMO3e41APNy7FRRPeLpL-PvOvu3qx5bvJRvIFHuydml58p_kCrgW47FsArsRWpaKB5sKfVYYp1G_4b4ykkAuahbbHk5A8Ug98P9y9ymQVpINpcWvDDru_naoYefFWrCJ/s1600-h/DSCN0005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" mt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5M-r0ATHe6t4XzMO3e41APNy7FRRPeLpL-PvOvu3qx5bvJRvIFHuydml58p_kCrgW47FsArsRWpaKB5sKfVYYp1G_4b4ykkAuahbbHk5A8Ug98P9y9ymQVpINpcWvDDru_naoYefFWrCJ/s200/DSCN0005.JPG" width="150" /></a>My camera was working today and I got lots of pictures of the long shadows at high noon, fish camps and fish wheels on the river side, and, of course, dog butts. I wanted to get a picture of the glare ice to share, but I had to have both hands on the sled and would have liked at third to help hold on. The snow is a bit skimpy everywhere this year and should make for an interesting trip. Vet check on Saturday, bib draw and start banquet Wednesday, meetings all day Thursday, and out into the wilds on Saturday.<br />
</div>Evening Star Kennelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14560149330953536809noreply@blogger.com1